Vladimir Guerrero Jr. declines home run derby invite
By Zach Laing
1 year agoVladdy won’t be slugging it out with the best of ’em.
The Blue Jays star has declined an invitation to participate in the home run derby at the MLB All-Star weekend, Sportnet’s Shi Davidi reported Tuesday.
Guerrero Jr. is reportedly dealing with some soreness in his left wrist causing him, for the second year in a row, to decline participation.
“My wrist is fine right now but I’ve got to be careful — there are too many swings in a home run derby,” Guerrero said through interpreter Hector Lebron. “I don’t want to take a chance that my wrist gets hurt again and it gets bad and I won’t be able to help the team win, which is what we’re trying to do here. I don’t want to risk it.”
The wrist issue has plagued Guerrero Jr. since his days in the minor leagues, Davidi reported, with the slugger saying it flares up “especially when I take a bad swing or if I chase a pitch and have to stretch it.” A regular schedule of exercises and treatment helps keep things at bay.
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Vladdy took part in the 2019 home run derby smashing a record 91 dingers, but fell one short of Pete Alonso in the final round to win the title.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.
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