Two-time champion Pete Alonso of the New York Mets said Sunday that he will not be participating in the Home Run Derby this year in Atlanta. Alonso won the popular event that is held one day before the All-Star Game in 2019 and 2021.

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"I want to be in the best position possible to help this team win in the second half," Alonso told Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Despite his love for the event, he feels that this year he doesn't have the necessary motivation to participate and prefers to use the break to recover.