The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the best teams in baseball, thanks to the play of Shohei Ohtani. After landing the superstar in free agency, he has been as advertised. He has already mashed 25 home runs and has over 200 total bases halfway through the season. A player of this caliber is one people come out to see. Because of his home run numbers, the league will likely want him to compete in the Home Run Derby over All-Star Weekend. However, manager Dave Roberts is advising the star to skip the event.
Los Angeles Dodgers Advising Shohei Ohtani To Skip Home Run Derby
With how amazing Shohei Ohtani has been for the Los Angeles Dodgers, it is easy to forget he is still recovering from Tommy John surgery. He is exclusively a DH this year while his pitching elbow continues to recover. Manager Dave Roberts is concerned the Home Run Derby could impede the progress of recovery.
“The one side of it, for him to be in the Home Run Derby, it’s great for baseball, clearly. 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.”
The event is different for hitters. Trying to hit a home run every pitch is different that trying to put a ball in play. Roberts is concerned that if Shohei Ohtani competes, his elbow will be aggravated, and the timeline for him being back on the mound will be pushed back. There is an outside chance he will pitch this season. If the recovery goes well, Ohtani could be a postseason surprise for opposing teams.
An Event Of A Bygone Era
The Home Run Derby has lost its allure over the years. Part of the reason is players are deciding to skip the event because of injury or not wanting to be injured. It’s awesome to see the home run leaders squaring off in an event. It is less fun when players who only have ten home runs on the year are competing because the leaders didn’t want to compete. The situation with Ohtani highlights the problem. He is leading the National League in home runs and might not compete.
If he doesn’t compete, it takes away from the allure of the event. It makes sense why the Los Angeles Dodgers do not want him to participate, but ultimately, the fans are the ones who suffer. Every sport seems to be trying to remake their All-Star Weekend. Interest in seeing all the best players on one team has waned over time. It will be interesting to see if Major League Baseball will do anything to try and incentivize players to participate.
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