Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers star currently second in MLB with 29 home runs, announced on Saturday that he does not plan to participate in the 2025 Home Run Derby. Speaking after the Dodgers’ 9-5 loss to the Kansas City Royals, Ohtani cited the new Derby rules and concerns about injury as reasons for stepping away from the event.
Discussing the limitations of the current format, Ohtani stated,
“With the current rules in place, I don’t think it’s feasible for me to be able to compete well,”
through an interpreter. These rules include a cap on pitches—hitters are allowed a maximum of 40 pitches during the first two rounds and only 27 pitches in the final round.
Adjustments to Derby Rules and Player Concerns
The pitch limits were introduced last year to reduce fatigue and injury risks during the competition. ESPN’s Buster Olney reported that many players have expressed worries about the increased injury potential caused by rapid swings and numerous pitches in a short time.
For Ohtani, these concerns carry added weight since he is still managing his workload carefully as a two-way player returning from significant surgeries. Having undergone both Tommy John and left shoulder surgery, Ohtani is cautiously approaching each at-bat and inning to preserve his health.
Ohtani’s Recent Performance and Recovery Status
Saturday marked his third start on the mound since returning, where he threw two shutout innings facing the Royals, striking out one batter and recording 20 strikes on 27 pitches. Notably, Ohtani threw the fastest pitch of his career, a fastball hitting 101.7 miles per hour against Vinnie Pasquantino in the first inning. It was also the first time he pitched more than a single inning since resuming his pitching duties.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has refrained from setting strict pitch or inning limits for Ohtani, allowing him to build his stamina gradually. Roberts also stated he is “staying out of” decision-making regarding Ohtani’s participation in the Home Run Derby, according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.
At the plate, Ohtani is hitting .295 with a 1.045 OPS, accompanied by 29 home runs and 54 RBIs this season, underscoring his dual-threat impact for the Dodgers.
Past Derby Participation and Future Prospects
Ohtani skipped last year’s Derby while still recovering from elbow surgery. He has only competed once in the Derby, during the 2021 event, where he was eliminated in the first round by Juan Soto. With his cautious approach this season, Ohtani aims to maintain health for the stretch run, potentially allowing him to pitch and hit in the postseason for the first time in his career.
The 2025 Home Run Derby is scheduled for July 14 at Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves. So far, Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. and Seattle Mariners’ home runs leader Cal Raleigh have committed to participating.