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Semien selected to start All-Star Game; Castro and Santander to replace Altuve and Tucker
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    Semien selected to start All-Star Game; Castro and Santander to replace Altuve and Tucker

    NEW YORK — Marcus Semien of the host Texas Rangers will replace Houston’s Jose Altuve as the American League’s starting second baseman for the All-Star Game on Tuesday night.

    Major League Baseball said Thursday that Altuve will rest his left hand, which has been sore since he was hit by a 94.3 mph slider from Minnesota’s Josh Winder on July 5.

    “Obviously, we have a very important second half of the season that I really want to be healthy (for),” Altuve said in Houston. “Like I said two days ago, I’m proud and thankful with all the Houston Astros fans that voted, not only for me but also everybody on this team to make this dream possible. This is a huge, big deal for us, and we’re really thankful.

    “Unfortunately, I got hit in the hand and am playing through some stuff. So, I really want to take these days and be ready for the second half.”

    Minnesota infielder/outfielder Willi Castro replaces Altuve on the AL roster, and Baltimore outfielder Anthony Santander took the spot of Houston’s Kyle Tucker, who has not played since June 3 because of a bruised right shin. Castro and Santander increase the total of first-time All-Stars to 36.

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    Altuve explained it was a “tough decision” not to participate but said his left hand is still swollen and bruised.

    Semien will start the All-Star Game for the third straight season. He finished second to Altuve in the final round of fan voting for starting berths and originally made this year’s AL All-Star team as a reserve by finishing second to Altuve in voting among players, managers and coaches.

    Texas reliever Kirby Yates is on the AL pitching staff, giving the Rangers multiple All-Stars for the fifth straight season.

    Santander gives the Orioles five All-Stars. Shortstop Gunnar Henderson and catcher Adley Rutschman were elected by fans to start, Corbin Burnes was voted to the pitching staff by players, managers and coaches, and infielder Jordan Westburg replaced Boston third baseman Rafael Devers.

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    In a surprising turn of events, the Semien has been selected to start in this year’s All-Star Game. This decision comes after Jose Altuve and Kyle Tucker were forced to withdraw from the game due to injuries. Marcus Semien, who plays for the Toronto Blue Jays, has been having an outstanding season so far, making him a deserving choice for the starting lineup.

    Semien has been a key player for the Blue Jays this season, leading the team in home runs and RBIs. His strong performance at the plate, combined with his solid defense at second base, has made him a standout player in the league. His selection to start in the All-Star Game is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the game.

    Joining Semien in the starting lineup will be two other deserving players, Starlin Castro and Anthony Santander. Castro, who plays for the Washington Nationals, has been having a solid season at the plate, batting over .300 with a high on-base percentage. Santander, who plays for the Baltimore Orioles, has also been putting up impressive numbers, with a high batting average and a good amount of home runs.

    The replacements for Altuve and Tucker have been met with mixed reactions from fans and analysts alike. While some believe that Semien, Castro, and Santander are deserving choices to start in the All-Star Game, others feel that there were other players who could have been selected instead. However, it is ultimately up to the fans and the league to decide who will take the field for the All-Star Game.

    Overall, the selection of Semien to start in the All-Star Game is a well-deserved honor for the talented second baseman. His strong performance this season has earned him a spot among the best players in the league, and fans can look forward to seeing him showcase his skills on the big stage. Castro and Santander will also have the opportunity to shine in the All-Star Game, as they step in to replace Altuve and Tucker. It promises to be an exciting and competitive game, with some of the top players in the league taking the field.