Marcus Semien gets All-Star start in place of injured Jose Altuve

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Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien will replace the injured Jose Altuve as a starter in the All-Star Game, while the Minnesota Twins’ Willi Castro was added Thursday to the American League roster.

Altuve, the Houston Astros’ nine-time All-Star, was elected by fans to start at second base. He will miss Tuesday’s game in Arlington, Texas, to rest a sore left hand after he was hit by a pitch on July 5 by the Twins’ Josh Winder.

Semien, 33, who finished second to Altuve as a finalist in the fan voting, will make his third start in his third All-Star Game appearance (2021 with the Toronto Blue Jays, 2023 and ’24 with the Rangers).

He is batting .235 with 12 home runs and 50 RBIs entering Thursday’s games. Semien has been in a slump recently, hitting .143 over the past 22 games.

“I’m on the American League All-Star team, I’m excited,” Semien said of his struggles this year. “I’m excited to be on the team. Like I said, it’s always an honor. And if nobody feels I should be there, then I’m still gonna be here.”

Also representing the Rangers at their home stadium, Globe Life Field, as a reserve is closer Kirby Yates, a right-hander who was selected via player balloting. Manager Bruce Bochy and the Texas coaching staff, as the defending World Series and American League champions, will lead the AL All-Stars.

Castro, 27, a first-time All-Star, is batting .268 with seven home runs, 29 RBIs and 10 stolen bases in 93 games at second base, shortstop, third base, left field and center field. Castro’s teammate, shortstop Carlos Correa, earlier was selected for his third All-Star nod.

–Field Level Media