Morneau to skip All-Star Game; specialist recommends rest

DETROIT -- Twins first baseman Justin Morneau will skip Tuesday's All-Star Game, the team announced today, after Morneau was examined by Dr. Kenneth Podell, a head and concussion specialist who works with the Tigers, Red Wings and Lions.

Podell recommended that Morneau return home for rest. Morneau will be re-evaluated in Minnesota during the All-Star break.

Morneau, 29, who has a history of head injuries, suffered the concussion when he took a knee to the head on a take-out slide on Wednesday in Toronto. He said before Saturday's game against the Tigers that he wouldn't go to the All-Star Game if he couldn't return to play in this weekend's series.

A four-time All-Star selection, Morneau was voted in as a starter this year for the first time.

"Obviously, if I can’t play for my team, I’m not going to fly out there and run around for two days," he said.