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Dodgers' Dave Roberts Gives Update on Shohei Ohtani's Home Run Derby Plans

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jon Conahan | Last updated Jun 26, 2025 4:00 PM ET

Shohei Ohtani has performed in the Home Run Derby in the past, and it's been excellent to watch. Whether it be Los Angeles Dodgers fans or just baseball fans in general, there's nothing better than seeing Ohtani play with some of the best in the world.

The Home Run Derby is a fun moment for fans to watch, and having Ohtani in it makes it that much better.

It remains uncertain what he plans to do this year, but with everything he's already dealing with, including returning to the mound, managing some injuries due to the Los Angeles Dodgers situation, and more, it's possible that he'll look to skip it.

When discussing what Ohtani plans to do, Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts said it's a question for Ohtani, remaining non-committal about the potential for him to participate in the event.

"That is a question for Shohei," Roberts responded, according to Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register. "I'm staying out of that."

"The fans love him," Roberts added. "He's the best player. It's going to be exciting for the fans to watch him in Atlanta for the All-Star Game."

Fortunately, the Home Run Derby doesn't bring any risk of getting injured. There have been instances in the past where players have experienced rough slumps after participating in it, but Ohtani is a freak of nature, and anything that others deal with likely won't happen to him.

For now, the Dodgers will focus on getting healthy before the All-Star break and hope things work out for them afterward.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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