It appears Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani will not be competing in the Home Run Derby after all. Ohtani had previously expressed interest in competing in the derby this year, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the decision would be left up to Ohtani. However, he won’t compete in the event as he is still in the middle of his rehab and pitching progression after undergoing a torn UCL last year.
“There’s been some conversations going on,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “I’m in the middle of my (elbow) rehab progression, so it’s not going to look like I’ll be participating.