BOSTON, July 5 (UPI) -- Boston Red Sox left-fielder Manny Ramirez will not play in the Major League All-Star game next Tuesday in Pittsburgh.
On Boston's Web site, Manager Terry Francona said Ramirez has a nagging right knee ailment.
"I understand he's the leading vote-getter (for the American League)," Francona said. "I have tried for a while now to make it known, and I know there's been some, I don't know if it's political red tape, but it's getting bogged down a little bit. He's been phenomenal, and he'll probably continue to be phenomenal. As long as he's healthy, I don't see him slowing down."
Francona said he is puzzled about why Major League Baseball has yet to make an announcement about his star slugger.
Ramirez, who was voted a starter, is batting .312 with 23 home runs and 63 RBI in 77 games to date.
It will be the third time he has missed an all-star game because of injury.
