As one of the most feared sluggers in the game, Shohei Ohtani's possible participation in the Home Run Derby is an annual topic of discussion heading into the All-Star break.
But Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts isn't so sure that's a good idea this season.
Roberts told reporters Wednesday that he would “probably not” want Ohtani to compete in the Derby because of the physical strain of the event, which would require Ohtani to endure “round and round” of swings.
He expressed concern that the workload could present a risk due to Ohtani's rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery.
“On the one hand, him being in the Home Run Derby, clearly it's great for baseball,” Roberts said before Wednesday night's 4-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox. “On the other hand, on the Dodgers manager's part, you're trying to be more cautious and appreciate the fact that there's a lot more swings, a lot more intensity, you know, going through the rehab process for his elbow.”
Ohtani underwent right elbow surgery in September 2023 as a member of the Los Angeles Angels and is limited to hitting this season. He hit his NL-leading 25th home run on Wednesday, a 437-foot blast that marked his third leadoff homer of the season, and also has an MLB-best .322 batting average.
When asked about the Derby following Tuesday night's 4-3 win over the White Sox, Ohtani said he has a “feeling like I want to do it” but would need approval from his doctors and trainers, as well as of the team. A day later, he reiterated his thoughts.
“It really hasn't changed much since yesterday,” Ohtani said after Wednesday's win. “It's something I have to talk to a lot of people about and make a decision.”
Roberts said he and Ohtani would talk about the Derby and how it could affect his rehab. He acknowledged that he would ultimately defer to Ohtani.
“I never want to be the guy that says I can't do it, because I wouldn't want someone to tell me I can't do it,” Roberts said. “But surgery adds a different component.”
Roberts added: “No one can argue that a coach wouldn't want his player to swing as hard as he can for essentially 45 minutes when [that player] We're supposed to be on a break, right? But the other side is obviously that he's the biggest star in the game, and that makes [the Derby] more attractive.
“So I think whatever he decides, I'll support him.”
Ohtani has competed in the Home Run Derby just once in his career, in 2021, when he lost to Juan Soto on a memorable swing in the first round.
This year's Home Run Derby will take place at Globe Life Field in Texas on July 15, one day before the All-Star Game.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
