Cubs and White Sox at All-Star Game: Justin Steele throws a scoreless inning — but Luis Robert Jr. doesn’t play after Home Run Derby
Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. did not play 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.
That left Cubs pitcher Justin Steele as the only Chicago representative remaining for Tuesday’s game.
Steele allowed one hit and had one strikeout in one scoreless inning of work for the National League in his first All-Star appearance.
“First time in a long time coming out the bullpen,” Steele said. “To have that adrenaline and goose bumps running out, it was kind of cool to have that again.”
The National League rallied to beat the American League 3-2 in front of 47,159.
Colorado Rockies catcher Elias Díaz put the NL ahead with a two-run homer against Baltimore Orioles reliever Félix Bautista in the eighth inning. That performance earned Díaz the game’s MVP award. Philadelphia’s Craig Kimbrel — who spent time with both the Cubs and Sox — struck out Cleveland’s José Ramírez with two on to end the game and snap a nine-game winning streak for the AL.
Steele did his part, entering in the fifth with the score tied at 1.
He got Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis García to fly out to right fielder Juan Soto. Baltimore Orioles outfielder Austin Hays singled to center. Rangers third baseman Josh Jung tapped a grounder to third where Atlanta’s Austin Riley made a tremendous barehanded play for the second out.
Steele struck out Rangers catcher Jonah Heim to end the inning and his outing.
“I’ll never forget it,” Steele said. “An experience I’ll never forget. For it to be on mine and my son’s (Beau’s) birthday makes it more special.”
Steele said of the strikeout, which came on a slider, “I was just trying to make a good pitch and I was able to.”
Before the game, the Sox announced Robert would be unavailable. In a statement, Robert said he’d be ready for the second half of the season.
He 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 AL 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.
Steele was one of three Cubs selected for the event.
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.
Steele found out Monday he’d either pitch the fifth or sixth inning.
“I’m just extremely grateful,” he said.
