Semien, Seager replace ailing Altuve, Correa in AL all-star starting lineup

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 in Arlington.

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

Semien, 33, 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 runs batted in 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 honour. And if nobody feels I should be there, then I'm still gonna be here."

Altuve expressed gratitude but admitted he was eager to use the time off to recuperate.

"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."

Castro, Santander late additions

Minnesota infielder/outfielder Willi Castro will replace Altuve on the AL roster, becoming the 35th first-time all-star.

Castro, 27, a first-time all-star, is batting .268 with seven home runs, 29 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 93 games at second base, shortstop, third base, left field and centre-field.

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.

Two-time World Series MVP Corey Seager has been named to the AL roster as a replacement for injured Minnesota shortstop Carlos Correa, giving the reigning champion and host Texas Rangers a third player in Tuesday night's game.

Correa was held out of Minnesota's 3-2 loss at San Francisco on Sunday after undergoing an MRI which revealed plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Correa is still expected to attend the all-star activities in Arlington, Texas.

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. He gives Texas multiple all-stars for the fifth straight season.

Manager Bruce Bochy and the Texas coaching staff, as the defending World Series and American League champions, will lead the AL all-stars.

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 — a nine-time all-star — in voting among players, managers and coaches.

Washington Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan was named as a replacement on the National League team for St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley.

Finnegan is the fourth replacement that has been named for the NL roster, while there have been five AL replacements. He also became the 39th first-time all-star.

The Texas native is 2-4 with 25 saves and a 2.45 earned-run average in 41 appearances for the Nationals this year. This is his fifth MLB season.