Shohei Ohtani Makes Heartbreaking MLB Announcement

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is one of the biggest superstars in the sports world right now.

Which is why both baseball fans and MLB officials surely wanted Ohtani to participate in the 2024 Home Run Derby later this month; especially after Aaron Judge announced that he wouldn't be taking part in the event.

Alas, Ohtani announced on Tuesday night that he would not be participating in the Home Run Derby either.

“I’m in the middle of my rehab progression, so it’s not going to look like I’ll be participating,” he said through a translator on Tuesday night, per AP News .

Manager Dave Roberts also addressed Ohtani's absence from the event.

“He signed up here to help us win a championship and nothing should get in the way of that,” he 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,” he added.

“It’s just not [Ohtani's] responsibility alone to carry the game of baseball. He does it on a daily basis.”

Roberts is not wrong.