Guerrero Jr. Prioritizes Back
Guerrero Jr. Declines All-Star Spot to Prioritize Back Health, Team Performance
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Key Points
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Guerrero Jr. declined to participate in the 2026 All-Star Game to rest and protect his back, saying he's 'very grateful to everyone who voted for me' but must put his team first for the second half. Nick Kurtz will start at first base for the AL in his place.
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Dylan Cease earned his first All-Star selection with a 2.79 ERA and 1.185 WHIP through 16 starts, and he leads the American League with 137 strikeouts.
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Louis Varland was also named an All-Star for the Blue Jays, posting a 0.96 ERA and 0.957 WHIP across 47 innings with 18-for-18 in save opportunities as the closer.
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There are conflicting reports about who will start at second base for the AL in Toronto’s All-Star representation: Ernie Clement was listed as the starting second baseman by one report, while Bo Bichette was named the starting second baseman by another source.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has withdrawn from the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, citing lower back issues that forced him to prioritize his health over the midsummer showcase. Bleacher Report confirmed the Toronto Blue Jays first baseman was voted in as the AL's starting first baseman but declined to play. Oakland's Nick Kurtz will start in his place.
Guerrero said he is 'very grateful to everyone who voted for me' but made clear he must put his team first heading into the second half. CityNews Calgary reported he is batting just .235 with 35 RBIs on the season, making the rest even more critical as Toronto pushes to climb its division.
Back Pain Forces Guerrero to Skip Philadelphia All-Star Game
Guerrero's back has been a concern for weeks. Dose.ca reported the All-Star Game is set to take place in Philadelphia next week. Rather than risk aggravating the injury during a non-playoff event, Guerrero chose to rest and prepare for the stretch run. news.ssbcrack.com noted the decision follows what has been a disappointing offensive season by his standards.
CityNews Vancouver confirmed Guerrero cited lower back issues as the main reason for skipping the game. The Blue Jays backed the decision, with the team framing it as a necessary move to protect one of their most important hitters for the second half of the season.
Dylan Cease Earns First All-Star Nod With Elite Numbers
While Guerrero sits out, Blue Jays starter Dylan Cease will represent Toronto on the mound. Cease earned his first career All-Star selection after posting a 2.79 ERA and a 1.185 WHIP through 16 starts. He leads the entire American League with 137 strikeouts. Those numbers put him among the best pitchers in baseball this season.
Cease's rise has been one of the brightest stories for Toronto at the midseason mark. The Blue Jays entered the All-Star break sitting behind their division leaders, making Cease's performance a rare bright spot in an otherwise uneven first half.
Varland Locks Down Closer Role With Spotless Save Record
Reliever Louis Varland also earned an All-Star selection for the Blue Jays. Varland has been nearly untouchable out of the bullpen, posting a 0.96 ERA and a 0.957 WHIP across 47 innings. He has converted all 18 of his save opportunities this season, going a perfect 18-for-18. That kind of consistency made him one of the easiest selections on the AL roster.
Varland's emergence as a lockdown closer gives Toronto a reliable back end of their bullpen. His All-Star nod joins Cease's selection to give the Blue Jays two pitching representatives, even as Guerrero's absence leaves the team without a position player at the game.
Conflicting Reports Cloud Blue Jays' Second Base Starter
There is some confusion surrounding who will start at second base for the AL. One report listed Ernie Clement as the AL's starting second baseman. Another source named Bo Bichette in that role. It is unclear which report is accurate, and the discrepancy has not been publicly resolved as of the latest updates.
Manager John Schneider is overseeing the Blue Jays' All-Star representation this year. Regardless of the second base question, Toronto will have a notable presence in Philadelphia — just not the one fans voted for at first base.
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