Marcus Semien, playing for the Texas Rangers at home, will step in for Houston’s Jose Altuve as the starting second baseman for the American League in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game.
Major League Baseball announced on Thursday that Altuve will sit out due to a sore left hand, which he injured when he was hit by a pitch from Minnesota’s Josh Winder on July 5.
“I have to focus on being healthy for the second half of the season,” Altuve stated from Houston. “I’m grateful to the Astros fans who voted for me and my teammates, making this dream possible. It’s disappointing to miss out, but I need to recover.”
Minnesota’s Willi Castro will take Altuve’s place on the AL team, and Baltimore’s Anthony Santander replaces Houston’s Kyle Tucker, who has been sidelined with a bruised right shin since June 3. Castro and Santander bring the number of first-time All-Stars this year to 36.
Semien, who will start his third consecutive All-Star Game, initially made this year’s team as a reserve after finishing second to Altuve in voting by players, managers, and coaches.
Kirby Yates, a reliever for the Rangers, joins the AL pitching staff, marking the fifth straight season Texas has had multiple All-Stars.
Santander’s selection gives the Orioles five All-Stars this year. Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman were chosen as starters by fan vote, Corbin Burnes was selected to the pitching staff by players, managers, and coaches, and Jordan Westburg replaced Boston’s Rafael Devers at infielder.
