Just two days before the All-Star Game, the rosters are getting an overhaul as inactive players bow out of the festivities.
For the National League, Mark Melancon of the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants closer Sergio Romo have joined Bruce Bochy’s pitching staff. They will replace the Pirates’ Jeff Locke and the Washington Nationals’ Jordan Zimmermann for Tuesday night’s midsummer classic at New York’s Citi Field.
Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, the winner of the National League Final Vote, will be kept out of the game with a thumb injury suffered Saturday. Atlanta catcher Brian McCann has been selected to replace him.
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman was chosen by American League manager Jim Leyland to replace Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander. Oakland Athletics starter Bartolo Colon, who pitched Sunday, will be replaced by teammate Grant Balfour. Kansas City Royals closer Greg Holland will take the spot of Seattle Mariners starter Hisashi Iwakuma, who also started Sunday.
Another shakeup is expected later this afternoon as two more All-Stars — Adam Wainwright of the St. Louis Cardinals and Travis Wood of the Chicago Cubs — opposed each other Sunday at Wrigley Field, rendering them unavailable for Tuesday. Pitchers who start the Sunday before the All-Star Game technically are allowed to play, but the All-Star manager must obtain permission from the player’s manager to use them.
The additions of Melancon, Romo and Tillman bring the combined number of first-time All-Stars to 36, the highest ever. Melancon gives the Pittsburgh Pirates five All-Stars, marking the first time since 1972 that franchise has had that many selected. The Orioles also have five representatives for the first time since 1997 with Tillman’s addition.