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Is Luis Robert playing in the 2023 MLB All-Star Game? Injury knocks White Sox outfielder out of AL lineup

Luis Robert was named an All-Star for the first time in 2023. Unfortunately for the White Sox outfielder, he won’t be playing in the 2023 All-Star Game. 

The Chicago slugger took part in the 2023 Home Run Derby on Monday, advancing to the semifinals before seeing his night end early. However, the White Sox made a statement just hours before the All-Star Game that Robert will be held out of the event. 

The 25-year-old Cuban is in the midst of a strong fourth season in the MLB. He is tied for third in the league in home runs with 26 while batting .217 with a .330 on-base percentage and a .569 slugging percentage. 

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Here’s everything you need to know about Robert’s absence from the All-Star Game, including injury updates:

Why isn’t Luis Robert in the MLB All-Star Game?

Robert is not participating due to an injury he suffered during the Home Run Derby Monday night. 

The White Sox released a statement just hours before the start of the All-Star Game, stating that the club would be keeping Robert out of the festivities Tuesday night as “a precaution.”

“During the first round of Monday’s Home Run Derby, Luis Robert felt tightness in his right calf. He underwent an MRI in Seattle and is listed as day-to-day,” the team wrote on Twitter. “Robert will not play in tonight’s All-Star Game as a precaution and will be evaluated again before the season re-starts Friday in Atlanta.”

Robert put on an impressive showing in the first round of the Home Run Derby. Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman pushed the White Sox outfielder to the limit, crushing 27 home runs in the first round. 

The Cuban, who was the event’s No. 1 seed, did just enough to get by Rutschman, smashing homer No. 28 in the bonus time to advance to the second round. 

However, in his semifinal matchup against Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena, Robert ran out of gas. Arozarena crushed 35 homers in the round, and Robert didn’t come close to that total, managing to get just 22 baseballs over the wall.  

While he may not have won the event, Robert undoubtedly electrified the crowd with his monstrous power. The outfielder accounted for the six longest home runs of the night. 

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What is Luis Robert’s injury?

According to the White Sox, Robert is listed as day-to-day with a calf injury. He felt tightness in his right calf during the first round of the Home Run Derby on Monday. 

The club said he underwent an MRI in Seattle. He will be evaluated again before the MLB regular season starts up again on Friday. 

Who is replacing Luis Robert in the All-Star Game?

Since Robert’s removal from the event was so close to the All-Star Game, the AL will not have an injury replacement for the White Sox outfielder. 

Robert was not a part of the starting lineup for the AL, so there is no one taking his spot. Instead, the AL will play with one fewer player available on its bench than the NL. 

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