Shohei Ohtani (aged 30, LA Dodgers), who is leading the National League in home runs (27) has expressed his intention not to participate in the Major League All Star home run derby. It is regrettable that there are no more things to see in the Major League secretariat and fans. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts supports Ohtani's decision amid some voices of regret. 메이저놀이터

After the Arizona Diamondbacks match on the 3rd (Korea time), Ohtani said in an interview with local media that he would not play in the home run derby of the All-Star Game. According to local media such as 'MLB.com ', Ohtani said, "We are talking about it in the Major League secretariat," but added, "The elbow rehabilitation is in full swing, and there are a lot of things to do while rehabilitating. I'm thinking about not going out this time." 

Ohtani underwent Tommy John surgery in September last year when he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels, and is currently rehabilitating from tendon reconstruction. In fact, he is not pitching as a pitcher this year, but is focusing on hitting batters. In the home run derby where he has to throw the ball over the fence at a fixed time and within the set number of pitches, repeated full swing can strain his elbow, which is sufficient reason for his absence. 

However, there is also a view that Ohtani may be avoiding the All-Star Game Home Run Derby. Earlier in 2022, he missed the Home Run Derby due to blisters as his right middle finger nails cracked in the second half of the year. The 2021 Home Run Derby was Ohtani's only participation and lost to Juan Soto (New York Yankees, then Washington Nationals) in the first round after a neck-and-neck race of 28-31 in the second overtime.

At the time, Ohtani said, "I've never been so tired during the season," but he was sluggish in the first six games of the second half with a batting average of 167, four home runs, four RBIs, and OPS. Not only Ohtani, but also several batters used to suffer from poor batting balance while consistently swinging big in the home run derby.

As star players felt increasingly burdened by the "Home Run Derby," the secretariat added a time limit on the number of pitches. The office changed its method of conducting the Home Run Derby by limiting the maximum 40 pitches within three minutes in the first and second rounds and the maximum 27 pitches in the final round within two minutes, but Aaron Judge of the Yankees, who ranks first in home runs in the American League (with 32 pitches), also expressed his intention not to participate. 

Fans who want to see the Major League Secretariat or the top star's home run show are disappointed by Ohtani's intention to not participate. Although there was invisible pressure from the outside, not only Ohtani but also inside the Dodgers team expressed negative opinions on participating in the home run derby, and Roberts' opinion was not different. 

Roberts said, "Ohtani came to Dodgers to win. It's not just his responsibility to take care of Major League Baseball. He participated in the Home Run Derby once before and is well aware of the responsibility. However, he is rehabilitating from elbow surgery, and his job is to take care of himself while playing for Dodgers." He said that the Major League should not let Ohtani carry too much of a burden on him. 

Roberts said, "If it were normal without rehabilitation, Ohtani would have been willing to participate in the home run derby. However, the home run derby requires a lot of swing and has very unique elements. If Ohtani gets in trouble while holding such an event, it will be a pity not only for the Dodgers but also for all the fans," stressing that there is no need to take the risk of injury. 

In addition, Roberts said, "Otani is a very well-trained player. He is playing games every day while receiving rehabilitation treatment. No one prepares for exceptional situations such as home run derby. We need to be aware of that. "His job is baseball, but he is not the only one responsible," he said. "The decision came after internal discussions. Some people might be disappointed, but I hope he respects the decision. He signed a contract with the Dodgers to win the championship, and there is nothing that can interfere with that. No player in the world makes a difference in the baseball community more than Ohtani. I feel that responsibility myself." 

Having signed a 10-year free agent contract with the Dodgers last winter for a total of 700 million U.S. dollars, the Dodgers has been enjoying stellar performance since its first year in the history of professional sports. It has a batting average of 316 (out of 102 from 323 times at bat), 26 homers, 62 RBIs, 67 runs scored, 45 walks, 76 strikeouts, 16 steals, and a .399 slugging percentage. It has topped the NL batting average, home run, scoring, slugging percentage and OPS, raising expectations for its MVP as the first designated hitter. Thanks to this, the Dodgers is ranking first in the NL West with 53 wins and 33 losses (winning percentage .616).