San Diego Padres infielder Luis Arraez has announced he will not participate in the All-Star Game presented by MasterCard on Tuesday due to a lingering thumb injury.
Arraez has been struggling with a jammed left thumb since late June and did not play in the Padres’ first-half finale, a 6-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Petco Park.
Despite being named an All-Star for the third consecutive season, Arraez decided to prioritize rest and recovery over participating in the game. He mentioned, “I need the rest,” acknowledging the need to heal his thumb. He will, however, travel to Texas to partake in the All-Star festivities with his family.
Arraez’s performance has been impressive, boasting a .310 batting average as he chases his third consecutive batting title. Padres manager Mike Shildt confirmed that while the injury is bothersome, it is not severe enough to require a stint on the injured list. Shildt stated, “We didn’t think that was necessary. We knew the break was coming. We trust the player.”
The decision not to place Arraez on the injured list is partly influenced by the timing of the All-Star break, which provides a natural rest period. If necessary, the Padres could back-date an IL stint to Saturday, meaning Arraez would only miss four additional games due to the break and an off-day on July 22.
Shildt expressed confidence in Arraez’s ability to manage the injury, noting his strong performance with three hits in Saturday’s game. This demonstrates Arraez’s capability to remain active and effective despite the thumb issue.
Arraez’s decision to sit out the All-Star Game highlights the importance of player health and long-term performance, ensuring he can continue to contribute effectively to the Padres’ second-half push.
