Shohei Ohtani has signaled that he will likely not participate in the upcoming Home Run Derby in Atlanta on Monday, July 14, despite leading the National League with 29 home runs. Citing the demanding nature of the derby’s new timed rounds and his ongoing pitching comeback, Ohtani indicated that competing may not be feasible for him at this time. This follows news that Teoscar Hernández, the reigning derby champion, also declined to compete this year, further diminishing the chances that the Dodgers will have a participant in the event.

Ohtani’s Previous Derby Experience and Current Pitching Role

Ohtani’s only Home Run Derby appearance was in 2021, when he competed as an Angel at Coors Field. During that derby, Ohtani hit 28 home runs in the first round, tying for third among the eight contestants, but he was eliminated after facing Juan Soto, who hit 31 homers to advance. The physical toll was significant, as he started both as pitcher and designated hitter for the American League in the All-Star Game the very next night.

This year, Ohtani is preparing for his fifth consecutive start as the National League’s designated hitter in the All-Star Game, but he has only recently returned to pitching in the majors. Having made just three pitching appearances and thrown four innings since his return, he is likely prioritizing his recovery and conditioning over derby participation.

Recent Strong Performance on the Mound Reinforces Derby Decision

Ohtani’s latest pitch outing came on Saturday against the Kansas City Royals, where he threw two scoreless innings in what was considered one of his best performances yet. Notably, he clocked a fastball at 101.7 mph against Royals hitter Vinnie Pasquantino—the fastest pitch of his major league career so far. This was just shy of a 102-mph pitch thrown during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, also against Pasquantino.

“[Ohtani] keeps doing that to me,” Pasquantino said. “I just saw the fastest pitches he’s ever thrown in his career — two of them are against me. His two hardest throws. I need to talk to him. I was hoping he’d get on first today so I could ask him. He got me in Japan a few years ago. It was 166 kilometers, and I remember looking up and being like, ‘What? I don’t even know what that is.’ He loves throwing me fastballs, and he doesn’t really throw that many fastballs.” —Vinnie Pasquantino, Royals hitter

This pitching performance, coming at a time when Ohtani is still carefully managing his workload, likely influenced his decision to forego participating in the high-intensity derby event that involves multiple timed rounds and substantial physical exertion.

Dodgers’ Roster Updates: Emmet Sheehan’s Return Timeline

Meanwhile, on the pitching staff front, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Emmet Sheehan, who was optioned to Triple-A, is expected to make another start with Oklahoma City before returning to Los Angeles. Sheehan, who recently threw six perfect innings with 13 strikeouts for the Triple-A Sacramento team, faces a minimum 15-day assignment before rejoining the Dodgers.

“Obviously he’s coming off a really good one. I’m not particularly sure when his next outing is. I know it’s not going to be with us. He’ll have another one with OKC and then at that point in time there might be some things happening.” —Dave Roberts, Dodgers manager

This indicates that Sheehan’s return could align with the Dodgers’ upcoming home series against the White Sox or road games in Milwaukee, depending on how his schedule and team needs evolve in the next week or so.

Impact and Outlook for Ohtani and the Derby

Shohei Ohtani’s probable absence from the Home Run Derby marks a notable development for fans and organizers, as his dual-threat status as both a pitcher and power hitter has made him a unique and compelling figure in recent All-Star events. His cautious approach highlights the challenges players face balancing derby competition with the physical demands of the regular season, especially when recovering from pitching duties. Meanwhile, Ohtani’s continued excellence on the mound confirms that his focus remains on sustaining his health and effectiveness in both roles for the remainder of the season.

For the Dodgers, the absence of representatives like Ohtani and Hernández means reduced visibility at the derby, but Sheehan’s imminent return signals strengthening pitching depth that could prove essential as the season progresses. The derby will proceed without several notable hitters this year, reshaping its competitive landscape and influencing how fans anticipate the midsummer showcase.