Guerrero Jr. skips All-Star Game to rest lower back before season's second half
Despite winning the fan vote as AL's starting first baseman, the Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will sit out the Midsummer Classic to recover from month-long back issues.
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will not travel to Philadelphia for the All-Star Game, even though Toronto fans voted him as the American League's starting first baseman.
The Blue Jays slugger said Saturday he needs the All-Star break to recuperate from lower back issues that have dogged him for about a month. Rather than compete in the Midsummer Classic, he'll use the time to get healthy and prepare for a strong second half of the season.
"Before I take a decision like this, I always talk to my family, some of the veteran guys here," Guerrero said through interpreter Hector Lebron. "As you guys know, I've been having a little bit of issues with my lower back. That comes first, for me to get ready, to prepare myself for my team to have a strong second half."
Guerrero's withdrawal is particularly striking given his down season at the plate: he's batting .265/.346/.346 with just four home runs and 35 RBIs through 84 games—far below his usual standard. How much the back issues have contributed is unclear, but manager John Schneider called the decision "a sign of growing up."
"He's the face of our franchise and he understands how important he is to us and what we're trying to accomplish," Schneider said. "It shows maturity. Taking a little bit of a physical blow will be good for him and hopefully he puts his best foot forward for us after the break."
Ernie Clement, Dylan Cease, and Louis Varland will represent the Blue Jays at the All-Star Game.
