Bautista, martin named all-stars
NEW YOR K • Fewer than three months after making his major league debut, Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant is an all-star, one of two rookies selected along with Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson.
But there was no room on the roster for Alex Rodriguez, enjoying a renaissance in his return to the New York Yankees following a season-long drug suspension.
Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal also was a first-time selection Monday for the July 14 game in Cincinnati. Grandal became the third all-star this year who served a drug-related suspension following MLB’s investigation of the Biogenesis of America clinic. Seattle slugger Nelson Cruz and St. Louis shortstop Jhonny Peralta were elected by fans to start.
Albert Pujols of the Angels will start at first base for the AL in place of Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera, who injured a calf muscle Friday. Pittsburgh’s Andrew McCutchen will start in the NL outfield instead of Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton, who broke his hand on June 26.
Russell Martin and Jose Bautista will represent the Toronto Blue Jays as reserves. Martin was one of two reserve catchers announced to the AL roster. Since signing with the Blue Jays in the off-season, Martin has enjoyed success in his first season in Toronto. In 71 games, Martin has 12 home runs, 39 runs-batted in and a .256 average.
Bautista is no stranger to all-star games — representing the Jays six straight seasons. He has 17 home runs and 57 RBIs in 77 games so far this season. In the initial fan voting, Martin was second in voting for catchers with 7,521,557. Bautista was fourth in AL outfielders with 9,050,339.
Bautista and Martin will join Toronto third baseman Josh Donaldson at the all-star game in Cincinnati. Donaldson set a new all-time single season allstar voting record on Sunday with 14,090,188 total votes.
The 23-year-old Bryant made his big league debut April 17 and began Monday with a .279 average, 12 homers and 49 RBIs.
“Obviously, I’ve been at some all-star games, but I don’t think anything can compare to making the major league all-star team,” he said.
A record six Royals were picked for the game, with players electing pitcher Wade Davis, and AL manager Ned Yost of Kansas City selecting reliever Kelvin Herrera. They join Royals outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Alex Gordon, catcher Salvador Perez and shortstop Alcides Escobar, who were elected on Sunday as starters.
Rodriguez, a three-time MVP who turns 40 on July 27, has 16 home runs and 47 RBIs for the Yankees after missing last year because of a drug suspension.
“We talked a lot about Alex Rodriguez,” Yost said. “I just felt very strongly if we could get another infielder or another outfielder out of that five-man vote, it would help us.”