SAN DIEGO — Apologies to Major League Baseball, but Fernando Tatis Jr. has made his decision: He will not participate in next month's Home Run Derby at Coors Field.
The Padres' 22-year-old shortstop cited the health of his left shoulder as the primary reason he will skip swinging for the fences — again and again and again — on the eve of what will likely be his first start in an All-Star Game.
Tatis spent 10 days on the injured list in April with a partially dislocated shoulder. A minor recurrence forced Tatis from Saturday's game. He returned to the starting lineup Monday, but estimated he's playing right now at about 75% health despite soaring to the top of the NL leaderboard with 22 homers.
"It's pretty hard (to say no)," Tatis said Friday afternoon. "It's something you always dream about. Something I would dream about as a kid. I feel like there are bigger priorities right now. That is my health."
He is the second emerging star this week to opt out of participating following childhood friend Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Guerrero on Friday took over the MLB lead with 25 homers, a short time after Angels two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani hit his 24th. Ohtani will be the favorite if Tatis is allowed to handicap the event.
"He's definitely going to win it," Tatis said with a laugh before hedging a bit at the mention of Ronald Acuna Jr., who is third in the NL with 20 homers.
"It's a rough decision," Tatis added.
Almost as rough as Tatis' choice to opt out in a breakout season that thrust him into the NL lead at shortstop in the fan vote. The finalists moving on to the second phase of fan voting will be announced Sunday.
Tatis is aiming to become the first Padre voted into the starting lineup since Tony Gwynn in 1999.
"It's going to be a dream come true," Tatis said.
Like participating in a home run derby — one day.
"I'm 22," Tatis said. "I feel like there's going to be more chances to go to the Home Run Derby and when I go I want to put on a pretty good show."
The Padres have said Tatis would have the biggest say in whether to participate. He said conferred with general manager A.J. Preller and his family, among others, before deciding to use the four-day All-Star break to rest the shoulder, outside however long he plays in the game in Denver.
"It's going to be great," Tatis said of the coming break. "It's definitely something I'm looking forward to. It's something my body deserves."
