Shohei Ohtani blasted a solo home run in the Los Angeles Angels' 7-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, but the reigning American League MVP's 20th bomb of the year was overshadowed by headlines about his trade status.
Clubs have been calling the Angels to express interest in acquiring Ohtani, but the Halos "have no plans to move the superstar" before the Aug. 2 trade deadline, MLB.com reported.
The two-time AL All-Star will be a free agent after the 2023 season, and with the 39-55 Angels once again out of playoff contention, rumors about a potential trade have reached fever pitch.
Ohtani did little to quell the speculation before last Tuesday's All-Star Game, when he told reporters he was "not even sure what will happen in the future."
The two-way star homered with the Angels trailing 7-1 in the top of the fifth at Truist Park on Saturday, getting hold of a changeup from starter Kyle Wright (12-4) and sending it 110 meters over right field.
The World Series champion Braves lead their three-game series with the Angels 2-0 after also winning Friday's opener, in which Ohtani was lights out on the mound for six innings before surrendering six runs and taking the loss.
With a 9-5 record, the 28-year-old is one win from becoming the first American or National league player with 10 wins and 10 home runs since Hall of Famer Babe Ruth in 1918.
He is averaging .259 with 57 RBIs at the plate this season, with a 2.80 ERA and 134 strikeouts in 93-1/3 innings as the Angels' top pitcher.
In other MLB action, Yoshitomo Tsutsugo went 1-for-4 and singled in the Pirates' only run in a 1-0 win over the Miami Marlins at Pittsburgh's PNC Park.