The Toronto Blue Jays have all of Canada behind them, and that showed in voting for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game.
Several Blue Jays deserving of being All-Stars were voted to represent the American League in Philadelphia in mid-July, while others who have struggled, like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., also topped out at their position.
It was announced on Saturday that Guerrero Jr. would be the starting first baseman for the AL All-Stars; however, we learned soon after that he actually won’t be attending at all.
Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi shared some of the details behind Guerrero Jr.’s decision in a post on X (formerly Twitter):
“Vladimir Guerrero Jr., elected to start at 1B for the AL, said he won’t be going to ASG to recuperate over the break. He’s been playing through lower back issues for nearly a month.
He said he’s very grateful to fans who voted for him and that’s “one of the hardest parts of not going. It’s very difficult for me. But I really have to take care of myself and I’ve got to put my team first for the second half,”
The 27-year-old Guerrero Jr. has hit just four home runs and driven in 35 runs while hitting .265 across his first 84 games this season. He’s in the first year of the massive 14-year, $500 million contract extension he signed with the Blue Jays in April 2025.
Guerrero Jr. has been in and out of the lineup at times over the last few months because of his back, so it is a valid reason to skip the event, along with the general understanding that his play hasn’t been anything close to All-Star level this year either.
Everyone involved has to hope that some time off to rest and recover both physically and mentally will get Guerrero Jr. back on track for the stretch run, because the Blue Jays desperately need it if they want to make the playoffs.
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