New York Mets slugger and two-time winner Pete Alonso joined Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber in electing to skip the Home Run Derby.

The derby will be held next Monday, the night before the All-Star Game, at Truist Park in Atlanta. Both told reporters of their decision Sunday.

The hitters so far who have committed to the event are Nationals outfielder James Wood, Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. and Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh.

Alonso was named a National League reserve for the All-Star Game in a season when he’s hit 20 homers. He won the Home Run Derby in 2019 and 2021. It wasn’t held in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m not necessarily called this year to do it. I love the event. It’s a sick event. I just didn’t really feel motivated to do it this year,” Alonso said, according to MLB.com. “I just figured I’d take a break, use the break as recovery and get back at it, help the team win in the second half.”

Although he’s not participating this summer, Schwarber left the door open to taking part next season when the All-Star Game is held in Philadelphia. Schwarber has 27 homers this season as he made his third All-Star team.

Cairo named Nationals interim manager

The Washington Nationals named bench coach Miguel Cairo interim manager a day after after the team fired manager Dave Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo.

The organization previously announced that Senior VP and assistant GM Mike DeBartolo is taking over for Rizzo on an interim basis.

The Nationals are 37-53 and last in the NL East; the only National League club with a worse record is the Colorado Rockies.

Cairo, 51, previously served as an interim manager with the Chicago White Sox in 2022, going 18-16 down the stretch after Tony LaRussa stepped down.

Brewers place Hoskins on IL, call up Vaughn

Former Chicago White Sox first baseman/outfielder Andrew Vaughn is back in the majors with the Milwaukee Brewers, who promoted him as they sent first baseman Rhys Hoskins to the injured list with a sprained left thumb.

Hoskins’ assignment to the 10-day injured list was retroactive to Sunday. He sprained the thumb Saturday in a 4-2 loss at Miami.

Milwaukee filled his spot on the roster by calling up Vaughn, who was acquired in a June 13 trade with the White Sox.

Astros’ slugger Walker goes on paternity leave

The Houston Astros placed first baseman Christian Walker on paternity leave before the start of a three-game series against Cleveland.

Walker, who is in his first season with the Astros, is batting .231 with 12 homers and 45 RBIs.

He’s heated up recently hitting .429 with two homers and eight RBIs in six games this month.

Dodgers’s Hernandez goes on IL, Outman up

Los Angeles Dodgers utilityman Kiké Hernández went on the injured list with left elbow inflammation and outfielder James Outman got called up from the minors.

Roberts said the Dodgers are hopeful Hernández could return shortly after the All-Star break.

Orioles trade for Jackson from Yankees

The Baltimore Orioles acquired Alex Jackson from the New York Yankees after Gary Sánchez became their fourth catcher on the injured list.

Baltimore, which has 14 players on the IL, sent the Yankees $250,000 in international signing bonus pool allocation and a player to be named or cash.