Mike Trout will likely turn down invitation to participate in All-Star Home Run Derby

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Mike Trout said Friday he is unlikely to participate in the All-Star Home Run Derby in Philadelphia because of his strained right hamstring.

>Trout expects to return from the injury in plenty of time to play in the July 14 All-Star Game, but it will likely prevent the Los Angeles Angels center fielder from the home run competition the night before in Citizen’s Bank Park.

>“They asked me when we were in Sacramento (last weekend), but I probably won’t do it,” Trout, 34, said before the Angels' game against the Athletics. “It would have been cool to do it, but the injury kind of threw things off.”

>Trout, a three-time American League MVP and 11-time All-Star, has turned down numerous invitations to participate in the derby because he felt the high volume of maximum-effort swings the event requires would throw him off at the plate.

>He always maintained that he would take part in the derby at least once before he retires, and this seemed to be the year to do it, with All-Star Game festivities in Citizens Bank Park about 45 miles north of his hometown of Millville, New Jersey.

>Trout fueled more speculation that he would participate in the derby last weekend when he told USA Today that he was “considering” participating in the event.

>But Trout, who was hitting .234 with 17 homers and 36 RBIs in 74 games when he was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 18, had a change of heart over the past week.

>“When it came out that the All-Star Game was in Philly, I thought it definitely would have been cool to do,” said Trout, who ranks second behind Aaron Judge in All-Star voting for AL outfielders. “Then I hurt my leg, so I’m leaning toward not doing it.”

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