Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman has pulled out of the All-Star Game, saying Friday it was a difficult decision but that he wants to rest because of left knee tendinitis.

"Definitely a tough decision," Chapman said through an interpreter. "It's an honor to be selected to an All-Star Game. Your peers vote for you, the managers, fans and all that. And anytime you have an opportunity like that, you want to participate.

"But at the end of the day, it was the smart decision for me to help me recover and get ready for the second half, one that's going to be very demanding and very exciting."