Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has decided not to participate in this year's Home Run Derby on July 15th, despite his impressive performance in the Majors with 27 home runs. Ohtani, who took part in the Derby last year but was eliminated in the first round, cited his ongoing rehab process as the main reason for his withdrawal.

"I'm in the middle of my rehab progression, so it's not going to look like I'll be participating," Ohtani announced through an interpreter on Tuesday night. This year's Derby will take place at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Ohtani is currently focusing solely on hitting this season as he recovers from an injured elbow ligament. The talented Japanese superstar had a procedure on his elbow in September before signing a lucrative $700 million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers in December.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed full support for Ohtani's decision. "He signed up here to help us win a championship, and nothing should get in the way of that," Roberts said. "In any other normal situation where he wasn't rehabbing, I think he would love to participate. I know that it's weighed heavy on him, but I do think the rehab process is something that ultimately makes him feel better about bowing out."

Despite his absence from the Derby, Ohtani continues to make significant contributions to the Dodgers. In Tuesday night's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, he blasted a two-run home run that traveled an impressive 433 feet to right-center field. Ohtani's stellar performance places him second in the league for home runs, just behind New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who leads with 32 home runs this season.

Roberts dismissed concerns about Ohtani potentially getting injured during the Home Run Derby, explaining that the decision was primarily influenced by the interference it would cause with his rehab schedule. "When you're playing every day alongside the rehab, it's very regimented. So when you have an outlier situation like a Home Run Derby, that's something that one is prepared for," Roberts clarified. "It would just be a real disappointment for not only Shohei, the Dodgers, but also the fans if something were to happen during an exhibition like that."

In the previous year's Derby, Ohtani set a record by hitting six home runs that went at least 500 feet. He also became the first player in history to be selected as an All-Star both as a pitcher and a position player, achieving this feat in 2021 and 2022 while playing for the Los Angeles Angels.

Roberts highlighted that Ohtani's decision not to participate in the Home Run Derby doesn't diminish his daily contributions to the game of baseball. "It's just not his responsibility alone to carry the game of baseball," Roberts stated. "He does it on a daily basis."

As Ohtani focuses on his rehab and helping the Dodgers contend for a championship, fans will have to wait another year to witness his exceptional power on display in the Home Run Derby.