HOUSTON — In past seasons, the Home Run Derby has piqued Yordan Alvarez’s interest.“I’m still open,” Alvarez said on Sunday, “but not this year.”And so Alvarez, the American League’s home run leader and leading vote getter during the first round of All-Star balloting, will not participate in the overhauled event next month at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.Alvarez’s 25th home run of the season came during Houston’s 2-1 win on Sunday against the Cleveland Guardians. He trails only Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber for the major-league home run lead.Asked whether he had interest in the Derby, Alvarez shook his head and replied “no.” He did not reveal whether he had been asked to participate.Alvarez received an invitation to hit in the 2022 Home Run Derby at Dodger Stadium, but went on the injured list with a right hand ailment before the Midsummer Classic. Alvarez also missed the 2023 All-Star Game with an oblique injury.Prior to the 2024 All-Star Game, Alvarez told the Houston Chronicle that “at some time in my career, down the line, I’m probably going to do it.” The Astros have not had a Home Run Derby competitor since Alex Bregman, who participated in both 2018 and 2019.Barring a bevy of dropouts, Alvarez is primed to be the only Astros position player who earns a trip to Philadelphia for next month’s All-Star Game. It will be Alvarez’s fourth All-Star appearance and, provided he remains atop fan balloting, the second time he starts the game.Alvarez exited Sunday’s win with a .322/.428/.640 slash line. His 1.068 OPS and .640 slugging percentage are the highest in baseball. Alvarez also received his 10th intentional walk on Sunday, more than any player in the majors. Entering Sunday, 20 of 30 teams had issued fewer than 10 intentional walks.His home run on Sunday snapped a seven-game stretch without one — the longest drought of the season by a player positioning himself for a run at the Triple Crown.“I feel very good right now,” Alvarez said through an interpreter. “I don’t think it’s a secret right now they’re pitching (to) me with a lot of caution. So I have to make adjustments to not chase pitches that they want me to chase.“Sometimes I get surprised by the type of plan that they have against me, but it’s my duty as a ballplayer to go out there and adjust to whatever plan they have against me.”Alvarez trails Tampa Bay’s Yandy Díaz by four points for the American League lead in batting average and is two RBIs behind A’s first baseman Nick Kurtz for the AL lead. At the very least, Alvarez is on track to shatter Jeff Bagwell’s 32-year-old franchise record of 47 home runs in a season.