The only Chicago White Sox representative in the 2023 MLB All-Star Game was Luis Robert. Unfortunately, a Home Run Derby gone wrong will leave them none.
The outfielder will miss the All-Star Game on Tuesday and is being considered overnight after experiencing calf tightness in the first round of the Derby, the White Sox announced. He will be assessed before the White Sox resume play on Friday.
Robert was the top seed in the Derby and performed well in the first round, knocking out Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman with 28 homers. Despite a tight calf, he hit 22 homers in the second round, which wasn’t enough to beat fellow Cuban Randy Arozarena’s 35.
Arozarena advanced to the final, where he lost to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays by a score of 25-23. Even though Robert did not win, he was responsible for the Derby’s six longest circuits.
Robert is in the middle of a career season for the White Sox, currently hitting .271/.330/.569 in 375 plate appearances. His 26 homers are tied for third in MLB, behind only Shohei Ohtani (32) and Matt Olson (29).
Tuesday was supposed to be Robert’s All-Star debut after four years in the Majors, which included a second-place Rookie of the Year finish and a 2020 Gold Glove.
Marking Robert’s injury as evidence of the ever-popular sentiment that the Derby is doomed, whether through injury or subsequent underperformance, will be tempting. It’s still unclear how serious Robert’s injury could be, but it’s that kind of stuff that makes the idea so tempting.