Shohei Ohtani will not be doing the Home Run Derby in 2024, though he had expressed interest in the event last week.
Ohtani admitted Tuesday that he would not take part in the event this year at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The Los Angeles Dodgers star cited his rehab efforts as the biggest reason.
“I’m in the middle of my rehab progression, so it’s not going to look like I’ll be participating,” Ohtani said through a translator, via Beth Harris of The Associated Press
Ohtani can hit just fine, as is evidenced by his 27 home runs. However, he is still rehabbing after offseason elbow surgery that has kept him from pitching this season. Obviously, Ohtani and the Dodgers both had some concerns about whether a lot of swinging would be detrimental to those rehab efforts. Fatigue was also cited as a factor on the Dodgers’ side.
Baltimore Orioles slugger Gunnar Henderson is, to date, the only confirmed participant for the 2024 event. Ohtani and Aaron Judge would easily be the biggest draws, but unfortunately, neither will be taking part this year.
As everyone ducked, the bat boy reacted quickly, snatching the ball out of the air.
Realizing what he had done, he handed the ball in one motion to a fan seated near him behind the screen.
The moment went viral, and Herrera met with the media.
Dozens of reporters were surrounding him, and Ohtani snapped a photo of the media gaggle.
Ohtani posted the photo to his Instagram story with the caption, “MY HERO.”
“I saw the pitch all the way through. It hit the bat, and the ball pretty much found me. I was able to grab it,” Herrera said. “I was just doing my job.”
“Yeah, he needs a contract extension, a raise,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I was obviously right next to him, but I didn’t appreciate how close it was, you know, going towards Shohei. And what a great play it was. So, very quick reaction from Javy and very grateful.”
There’s a reason MLB stadiums are always telling fans to keep their heads on a swivel, because you never know where a foul ball will land.
For players, coaches and staff in dugouts, it’s especially true because foul balls can come flying toward them at any moment.
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