Bryce Harper passing on Home Run Derby

There wasn't any doubt on whether Bryce Harper would make the All-Star Game, not after smashing 25 homers, driving in 60 runs and batting .347/.474/.722 through the Nationals' first 82 games of the season.

The question was if Harper planned to showcase his muscles in the Home Run Derby at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati next Monday.

Harper addressed the issue today at Nationals Park before the start of a three-game series against the Reds.

"I'm not doing the Derby," Harper said. "It's a great event and a lot of people have been looking forward to me hopefully being in it, and, I appreciate the MLB asking me and (Todd) Frazier asking me. But definitely going to pass on it this year and just try to enjoy it and see if some of those guys can hit it out of the ballpark that night."

Harper tempered today's disappointing announcement a month ago when he indicated he probably would sit out the longball contest since his father, Ron, was unable to pitch to him due to recent rotator cuff surgery.

In addition, Harper hasn't been taking batting practice on the field with the Nationals this season. The 22-year-old has opted to warm up his swing in the indoor cages before games.

"Just trying to stay in my routine, trying to stay where I'm at with my swing right now," Harper explained. "I was talking to Max (Scherzer) about this yesterday, I don't think it really changes your swing at all. I mean I could go out and play a round of golf and come out and play nine innings today and I wouldn't have a problem, so that's definitely not an issue for me."

"But me not having my dad throw with me - it's a huge issue for me. I think being comfortable on a stage like that with somebody that I know can throw strikes for me, knows where my sweet spot's at, you know, that's huge for me. So hopefully, in a couple years, he'll be OK and, you know, we'll see where I go."

Harper will be making his third appearance in the All-Star game. He broke a National League record with 13,864,950 fan votes this year. Harper previously appeared in the Home Run Derby in 2013, becoming the youngest player to appear in the finals before losing to the A's Yoenis Cespedes 9-8.

In an interview with ESPN 980 earlier this afternoon, Harper said to mark him down for the contest when the All-Star Game comes to D.C. in 2018.

"Definitely in '18," he said. "I'll do the Derby in '18 here at Nats Park. No doubt in mind."