"Trying to be more cautious" - Dave Roberts not in favor of Shohei Ohtani’s potential Home Run Derby participation 

Shohei Ohtani has been on a tear of late and as the season heads closer to the All-Star break, calls of him participating in the Home Run Derby contest have picked up. The Japanese superstar, who is fresh off signing a 10-year, $700 million contract, has only participated once in a Home Run Derby before.

Amid this, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts doesn't want Ohtani to participate in the event as he is still recovering from Tommy John surgery (via ESPN):

"The one side of it, for him to be in the Home Run Derby, it's great for baseball, clearly," Roberts said before Wednesday night's contest against the Chicago White Sox.

"The other side of it, on the manager of the Dodgers side of it, you're trying to be more cautious and appreciating the fact that there's a lot more swings, higher intensity, you know, going through the rehab process with his elbow."

Roberts added that taking part in such a contest would pose a risk to Ohtani's pitching rehab process. However, he said that he doesn't want to be the manager who forces his players and mentioned that the decision will ultimately be up to Ohtani.

Shohei Ohtani wants to participate, but...

MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago White Sox

Following Tuesday's night win against the White Sox, reporters asked Ohtani about his thoughts on his potential participation in the Home Run Derby. The two-way star expressed "feelings of wanting to do it" but mentioned that he would need to get the approval of his doctors and trainers.

Last year, while with the LA Angels, Ohtani underwent right elbow surgery in September 2023. This is why he will only start pitching again from next year.

In 2021, Shohei Ohtani participated in the Home Run Derby contest but was eliminated in the first round against Juan Soto. This season, the Dodgers slugger is leading the NL in home runs (25) and also has the league-best average (.320).

In 2024, the Home Run Derby will take place on July 15 at the Texas Rangers' Globe Life Field, a day after the All-Star game.