PITTSBURGH -- Dexter Fowler, who has been sidelined with a right hamstring strain since mid June, did not have a setback after playing in one Minor League rehab game, but the Cubs outfielder did realize he wasn't ready to play in Tuesday's All-Star Game presented by MasterCard.
Fowler, named to his first All-Star team, will still go to San Diego, but won't play for the National League team.
"We wanted to try it, and he didn't re-injure anything, but he felt like he couldn't do it," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Saturday. "That was part of the conversation before the rehab -- 'If you feel anything at all, please shut it down.'
"We don't want to accelerate it or make it worse," Maddon said. "It's good because it helps his mind out. He knows where he's at. He made an attempt. He'll go to the game as an All-Star but not play."
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Fowler, 30, was the designated hitter on Friday for Class A South Bend and went 0-for-2 with two walks. He was to have started in the outfield on Saturday, but instead returned to Chicago and will fly to San Diego on Sunday to take part in the All-Star Game festivities along with his six Cubs teammates also named to the NL team.
Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes also cannot play in the All-Star Game because of an injury, and on Saturday, Pirates outfielder Starling Marte and Reds outfielder Jay Bruce to the active roster as replacements for Cespedes and Fowler.
If Fowler had said he felt good enough to play in the All-Star Game on Tuesday, that was all right with Maddon.
"The word I got back was that he didn't feel anything other than the fact that he knew he could not push it, so let's not do that," Maddon said. "That's good. That's a pretty mature decision."
Maddon wasn't sure what's next for Fowler after the break. The outfielder played for South Bend because it's close to Chicago. Triple-A Iowa begins an eight-game homestand on Thursday against Las Vegas, so Fowler could go there.
On Tuesday, July 12, watch the 2016 All-Star Game presented by MasterCard live on FOX, and during the game visit MLB.com to submit your choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2016 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote. The 87th All-Star Game, in San Diego, will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB.com, MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.