Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to sit out MLB All-Star Game after being named starter despite career-worst season

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will sit out the 2026 MLB All-Star Game after being named the American League starting first baseman despite what the report calls a career-worst season. Fans for the Toronto Blue Jays voted him into the starting role, but minutes after the announcement, Guerrero told reporters he intends to skip the game to recuperate from a lower back issue that has bothered him for nearly a month, citing a need to “put my team first for the second half.” The first-base starting spot came down to Guerrero and Yankees slugger Ben Rice in Phase 2 voting. Guerrero will miss the game at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, July 14, 8 p.m. ET on Fox. The report says Rice likely would start at first base.