11 July 2023
Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. will not participate in the MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park as a precaution after feeling tightness in his right calf during Monday’s Home Run Derby.
Robert felt the tightness during the first round of the event. He underwent an MRI in Seattle and is listed as day to day.
Robert will be evaluated again before the second half of the season begins Friday in Atlanta.
Robert reached the semifinals of the Home Run Derby, where he lost to Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena.
“I felt tightness in my right calf during the first round of yesterday’s Home Run Derby, but it didn’t affect my performance in the second round,” Robert said in a statement Tuesday. “I feel good today, it isn’t anything serious, but as a precaution, we decided that the best for me is not to play in tonight’s All-Star Game.
“It is disappointing, but the most important thing for me is to be healthy and ready for Friday, when we start the second half. I am sure I’ll be 100% by Friday.”
Robert earned his first All-Star selection as the lone White Sox representative, hitting a team-leading 26 home runs. He is second in the American League in that category.
Robert has already set career highs in homers and doubles (23) and with 51 RBIs, needs just five more to match his career best. He’s credited his health, and having played 89 games is just nine away from matching his career best.
That left Cubs pitcher Justin Steele as the only Chicago representative remaining for Tuesday’s game. Cubs pitcher Marcus Stroman announced last week he wouldn’t pitch in the game, citing his workload in a year that included pitching in the World Baseball Classic. Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson decided Friday to pull out of the game as he dealt with a bruised left heel.
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