Dave Roberts provides major update on Shohei Ohtani's Home Run Derby plans

As the All-Star festivities draw closer, one of the biggest questions surrounding the event has centered on whether baseball's brightest star would take part in one of its most popular attractions. Fans have spent weeks wondering if Shohei Ohtani would return to the Home Run Derby, but the Los Angeles Dodgers appear to have made their position clear as they continue balancing his workload on both sides of the game.

Will Shohei Ohtani participate in the Home Run Derby?

As reported by the New York Post, Dodgers head coach Dave Roberts commented on whether or not Ohtani would be participating in the upcoming Home Run Derby.

“When you’re Shohei, he understands the responsibility he has,” Roberts said. “So I do think that there’s a middle for what’s best for him [during the All-Star Game], with what potentially could be downside, but also what’s best for the game. So don’t see him in the Home Run Derby. Don’t see him pitching. But I do see him taking an at-bat or two, yes.”

It is hard to argue with the Dodgers' approach. The Home Run Derby is one of baseball's premier showcases, but it is still an exhibition. Ohtani is not just another All-Star. He is carrying the workload of an elite hitter while continuing his return to the mound, something no player in today's game is asked to do. 

The risk of adding dozens of max-effort swings in a single night simply outweighs the reward. Fans may be disappointed if he is not launching baseballs into the Philadelphia night, but the Dodgers have much bigger goals than putting on a show for one evening. If keeping Ohtani fresh helps them make another deep postseason run, skipping the Derby is an easy decision.

Dave Roberts already confirmed Shohei Ohtani is unlikely to pitch in All-Star Game

Roberts has already indicated that Ohtani is unlikely to pitch in the All-Star Game because of where his throwing schedule falls, making it clear the Dodgers are treating the break as an opportunity to protect their biggest asset rather than squeeze in extra appearances.  With that in mind, skipping the Home Run Derby becomes an easy call. 

The organization is focused on keeping Ohtani fresh for the second half, where he will continue carrying the rare responsibility of serving as both a middle-of-the-order bat and a frontline starter. Every inning and every swing has far greater value in the Dodgers' pursuit of another World Series than they do in a mid-July exhibition, no matter how entertaining the event might be.