Shohei Ohtani interested in Home Run Derby return; Dodgers noncommittal

On Wednesday, Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani hit a leadoff home run against the Chicago White Sox for the second straight night, extending his RBI streak to a franchise-record 10 consecutive games.

Ohtani connected on a full-count cut fastball from Erick Fedde, sending the ball soaring over the fence in right-center for his National League-high 25th homer. The 437-foot drive had a 113.9 mph exit velocity.

Shohei Ohtani smacks his 25th homer of the season

It was Ohtani’s third leadoff homer this season and No. 9 for his career.

Ohtani could be one of the top contenders in the All-Star Home Run Derby on July 15 at Globe Life Field in Texas. He last participated in the marquee event in 2021 in Denver, when he lost to Juan Soto in a memorable first-round showdown. After Tuesday’s 4-3 win over the White Sox, Ohtani expressed interest to reporters in a possible return to the Home Run Derby.

“I have to get an offer first. I’m also rehabilitating, so I need the doctor’s approval and the trainers’ approval and the team’s approval,” Ohtani said, per the Los Angeles Times. “Of course, I have feelings of wanting to do it. I think any player would. I think it depends on how it lines up with the other parts.”

But Ohtani had major elbow surgery in September, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed caution about the idea of Ohtani taking so many repetitive swings as he heals from the second torn UCL in his six-year MLB career.

“The one side of it, for him to be in the Home Run Derby, it’s great for baseball, clearly,”Roberts said. “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.

“But for me, personally, it’s just defaulting to the player and supporting Shohei in whatever he chooses.”

Ohtani also walked in the third and scored from first on Freddie Freeman‘s double to right. He fouled out to third for the first out of the fifth.

Before Ohtani’s third-inning at-bat, he nearly found himself in a scary situation. Kiké Hernández sliced a line drive into the Dodgers’ dugout. The ball was headed in the direction of Ohtani, who was preparing to take the on-deck circle.

Luckily for the superstar, a bat boy was standing in front of him and made a spectacular grab, saving anyone from getting hurt.

Ohtani is on a tear in his first season with the Dodgers after agreeing to a $700 million, 10-year contract in December. Going into Wednesday’s action, the two-time AL MVP was batting .306 (26-for-85) with 10 homers and 22 RBIs in 22 games this month.

Ohtani, who turns 30 on July 5, had two hits and two RBIs in the Dodgers’ 4-3 victory over the White Sox on Tuesday night. He went deep in the first inning against Chris Flexen, and then walked and scored in the third. He also hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the fourth.

Ohtani moved into the leadoff spot after Mookie Betts was sidelined by a broken left hand. He has driven in 17 runs during his RBI streak.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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