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Why Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has backed out of MLB All-Star game
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- Why Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has backed out of MLB All-Star game
Why Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has backed out of MLB All-Star game appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Toronto Blue Jays watched Vladimir Guerrero Jr. become a June 30 scratch against the New York Mets . Now the reigning American League champs learned Saturday he's backed out of the MLB All-Star game.
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Why the sudden change of heart? Especially as he earned enough votes despite enduring a rough 2026 campaign?
MLB columnist for USA Today Bob Nightengale revealed the reason via the social media website X, formerly Twitter.
"Vladimir Guerrero becomes the first player to back out of the All Star Game, saying he needs to recuperate his back during the break," Nightengale shared.
Guerrero attempted a comeback just three days ago against the Mets . He managed to regain his spot amid his MLB injury in the batting order while George Springer was on paternity leave.
Guerrero earned five straight MLB All-Star nods prior to this season. Although he's batting at .268 this season compared to settling for .292 in 2025. He's two years removed from producing his best batting average (.323) of his career.
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Toronto endured a rough Fourth of July south of the Canadian border, and on America's birthdate. Randy Arozarena of the Seattle Mariners pounded an early grand slam against the Blue Jays , helping spearhead the 11-0 rout of Toronto. Arozarena's rip lifted Seattle's lead to 5-0 early inside T-Mobile Park in the American League Championship Series rematch.
Arozarena smacked three hits total and drove four runners home. Dominic Canzone and Colt Emerson both chipped in two hits apiece in the rout. Cal Raleigh and J.P. Crawford both pounded home runs of their own too. Meanwhile, Guerrero went hitless on three attempts. Yohendrick Pinango mustered the only hit for Toronto.
Related: Who replaced Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as American League's All-Star Game starter?
Related: Blue Jays pitcher Dylan Cease gives massive shoutout to Toronto fans
