Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. announced on Saturday that he will not participate in the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, despite being voted in as a starting player.
The decision stems from ongoing back discomfort that the six-time All-Star has been managing, according to TV sports broadcaster Hazel Mae.
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Oakland Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz will start for the American League in place of the injured infielder.
Guerrero has played in 84 of Toronto's opening 89 matchups this season while battling the lingering injury.
His performance has declined compared to his 2025 campaign, where he secured ALCS MVP honors during Toronto's World Series run.
This season, Guerrero is batting . 265 with four home runs, 13 doubles, 35 RBI, and a career-low .
692 OPS across 309 at-bats.
"Very grateful to everyone who voted for me.. but at this time, very respectfully I'm declining to go," said Guerrero.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirmed on Tuesday that the organization is monitoring the 27-year-old's workload closely to prevent further irritation to his back, according to MLB.
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com's Keegan Matheson.
"I don't want to push it with him," said Schneider.
Schneider noted that Guerrero has taken numerous swings over the past week and a half but showed progress after hitting a single to right field during a recent game.
"He's been working a lot and I think that plays into how he's feeling.
He's taken a lot of swings over the last week or week and a half.
With where he was yesterday and making progress, albeit with just the single to right, I think he's where we want him to be.
He's really close, so I didn't want to set him back," said Schneider.
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The Toronto Blue Jays hold a 42-47 record and sit third in the American League East standings, trailing the final American League Wild Card postseason spot by three games.
