Advertisement

Kansas City Royals up to six All-Stars as reserves announced

By The Sports Xchange

The defending American League champion Kansas City Royals will have a major-league-high six players in the All-Star Game.

When the pitcher and reserve selections were announced Monday, the Royals added relievers Wade Davis and Kelvin Herrera. The starters were announced Sunday, and fans voted in Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez, shortstop Alcides Escobar and outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Alex Gordon.

Advertisement

Baseball's best team will be well-represented at the All-Star Game, as the St. Louis Cardinals will have five members of the National League team.

Catcher Yadier Molina, right-hander Michael Wacha and closer Trevor Rosenthal will join two Cardinals teammates, shortstop Jhonny Peralta and injured outfielder Matt Holliday, who were selected as starters by the fans in voting announced Sunday.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen will join the starting lineup as a replacement for injured Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton. McCutchen will be joined on the NL squad by three Pirates pitchers: right-handed starters Gerrit Cole and A.J. Burnett plus closer Mark Melancon.

Advertisement

The defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants and NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers also placed four players apiece on the NL team.

The Giants' representatives are starting catcher Buster Posey, second baseman Joe Panik, shortstop Brandon Crawford and left-hander Madison Bumgarner, the reigning World Series Most Valuable Player.

The Dodgers will be represented by catcher Yasmani Grandal, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, outfielder Joc Pederson and right-hander Zack Greinke. Reigning NL MVP and Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers did not make the All-Star team.

After the Royals' six-man crew, the AL teams with the most representatives are the Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles with four apiece.

Detroit shortstop Jose Iglesias, outfielder J.D. Martinez and left-hander David Price join injured first baseman Miguel Cabrera on the AL squad. The Los Angeles Angels' Albert Pujols will take Cabrera's place in the starting lineup.

Advertisement

The Orioles' selections are third baseman Manny Machado, outfielder Adam Jones, left-handed closer Zach Britton and right-handed reliever Darren O'Day.

Fans will decide the final player on each 34-man roster. Voting will be conducted until 4 p.m. ET Friday.

The National League candidates, as chosen by manager Bruce Bochy: Cincinnati Reds right-hander Johnny Cueto, New York Mets closer Jeurys Familia, Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw, Cardinals right-hander Carlos Martinez and Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.

The American League candidates, as picked by manager Ned Yost: Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts, Tigers outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier, New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner and Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas.

The All-Star Game will be played July 14 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.

Latest Headlines