Vladimir Guerrero Jr. declines All-Star Game to rest lower back injury
The Toronto Blue Jays star, voted in as the American League's starting first baseman, withdrew to address a month-long back issue.
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will not play in the All-Star Game despite being voted in as the American League's starting first baseman.
The Toronto Blue Jays star announced Saturday that he needs the upcoming break to recuperate after playing through lower back issues for about a month. Guerrero beat New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice in fan voting by a margin of 58 per cent to 42 per cent.
"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 is batting .265/.346/.346 with four home runs and 35 RBIs through 84 games, marking a challenging season by his standards. He missed Tuesday's game with back tightness before returning for Wednesday's Canada Day game.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider called the decision "a sign of growing up." With Guerrero's withdrawal, Ernie Clement—previously named as the AL's top vote-getter—and first-time All-Stars Dylan Cease and Louis Varland will represent Toronto in Philadelphia.
