WASHINGTON -- Max Scherzer has been battling a stiff back, an issue that began after his start June 30 in Detroit. He received treatment throughout the week, and he felt good enough to pitch through it in Saturday’s 6-0 win against the Royals -- an outing in which Scherzer struck out 11 in seven innings -- but the issue did not go away.

Following Saturday’s game, Scherzer, along with manager Dave Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo, decided it would be smart for him not to pitch in the 2019 MLB All-Star Game tonight at Cleveland's Progressive Field. MLB announced Saturday night that Reds right-hander Sonny Gray would replace Scherzer on the National League All-Star roster, although Scherzer will still attend the week’s festivities.

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Scherzer is scheduled to make his next start on Sunday in Philadelphia, giving him eight days between outings. He was extremely confident that this issue would resolve itself the next time he steps on the mound.

“Our season matters so much more than the All-Star Game,” Scherzer said prior to the Nats' first-half finale against the Royals on Sunday. “This was an opportunity to gain rest, and not for [pitching] in the All-Star Game.”

With Scherzer’s late withdrawal, neither of the Nationals’ All-Star duo will participate in the game. Third baseman Anthony Rendon elected not to attend the game in order to rest up the nagging left hamstring and quad injuries he has been playing through for the past few weeks. Neither Rendon or Scherzer has had to miss any playing time as a result of their injuries, but as the Nats look to continue their postseason push into the second half, both will take the days off to recover instead.

Scherzer was not concerned about his back issue lingering, and it has hardly affected his performance. He still threw 103 pitches on Saturday, and in his past two starts, he has allowed one run in 15 innings (a 0.60 ERA) with 25 strikeouts and one walk. Still, the Nats think the rest will do him some good.

“I know my body pretty well,” he said. “I just know I'm not going to be at my best if I pitch on two days' rest, and I would really jeopardize our season if I were to do something like that. For me, right now, I know my body needs rest. That's all I need.”

But the All-Star Game is one of Scherzer’s favorite events, even after seven consecutive seasons receiving the honor. So not only will he still go to Cleveland, he’ll bring his older daughter Brooklyn -- born in November 2017 -- along with him to experience it.

“This is going to be fun,” Scherzer said. “I get to take Brooke, and I get to represent the Washington Nationals. It's really a cool honor. It's a really cool 48 hours. For me, I still really wanted to go and partake in everything that's there, especially be there for the Home Run Derby and the game. I get to take my daughter, so it's going to be fun.”