Luis Arráez's decision to skip All-Star Game should have Padres fans concerned

The San Diego Padres have seen a number of injuries this season. Starters Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish have each spent a considerable amount of time on the injured list; right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. is out of commission at the moment; and second baseman Xander Bogaerts just came off the IL after suffering a broken bone in his shoulder earlier this season.

But one of the more significant ailments that no one seems to be talking about is the thumb injury that Luis Arráez has been dealing with since late last month. Arráez's injury, though it hasn't landed him on the IL, is bad enough that he won't participate in the All-Star Game.

Arráez said that he'll be in attendance for the festivities in Arlington this week, but won't be in the lineup on Tuesday night. And while Padres manager Mike Shildt dismissed the idea that Arráez's injury will require an IL stint, Pads fans should still be concerned.

Luis Arráez's decision to skip All-Star Game should have Padres fans concerned

Yes, if there was ever a time to gather some much needed rest, it's right now. The All-Star Game, while a fun experience and one that allows Major League Baseball to showcase some of their top talent, is an exhibition. It does not count toward the win column, nor is its outcome still tied to home-field advantage in the World Series.

But that doesn't mean Arráez missing the event is something that should be glossed over. Arráez told reporters before the All-Star break that he needed the rest and he's not 100%. Arráez told Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribune that the injury hurts "a lot" when he swings or catches the ball.

The Padres need Arráez at full strength if they hope to jump back into the postseason race during the second half of the 2024 season. After dropping six of their last seven games, San Diego has fallen out of the top three Wild Card spots and are on the outside looking in heading into the All-Star break.

President of baseball operations AJ Preller will undoubtedly be working the phones over the next couple of weeks as the Padres will be looking to buy at the MLB trade deadline. But if Arráez isn't healthy over the final few months, San Diego's playoff aspirations may already be in jeopardy.

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