All-Star Game News

On an evening where Cliff Lee is getting rocked by the Orioles in his Rangers debut...

- Nick Swisher was asked by Major League Baseball to participate in the State Farm Home Run Derby for the All-Star Game. After New York Yankees teammate Robinson Cano pulled out due to a minor back injury, Swisher, who made the team on the final vote, was asked to participate. Before agreeing, Swisher first called GM Brian Cashman, Manager Joe Girardi and hitting coach Kevin Long to ask them for permission. The Home Run Derby has been long known to mess and tire a hitter's swing, resulting in a poor performance in the second half of the season. However, the higher powers gave Swish the green light to participate. From ESPN:

"I'm already nervous," Swisher said.

The Yankees are a tad anxious as well. Long said that Swisher guaranteed him he will not change his swing.

"He promised he won't add on," Long said.

Does Long believe him?

"Do you believe half the stuff he comes up with?" Long said, laughing.

"It seems like everything he has touched has turned to gold," Long said. "So maybe he'll win the thing."

Swisher is certainly hoping, as he thinks the spotlight may shine even brighter for the Derby than the actual game.

"It is like the slam dunk contest," Swisher said.

Girardi wants him to be careful, but gave him the green light.

"I said, 'Go ahead, have fun with it,'" Girardi said.

Swisher, of the New York Yankees, will join Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers, David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox and Vernon Wells of the Toronto Blue Jays as the American League participants while Matt Holliday of the St. Louis Cardinals, Corey Hart of the Milwaukee Brewers, Hanley Ramirez of the Florida Marlins and the recently added Chris Young of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Derby. Should make for an exciting night! I'll be pulling for Swish!

- Due to a concussion suffered in a collision with the Toronto Blue Jays' John McDonald on Wednesday, Minnesota Twins' first baseman, and voted in starting first baseman, will not participate in the All-Star Game due to the advice of a doctor. Morneau, a four-time All-Star was hitting .345 with 18 home runs, and 56 RBIs this season. He will be replaced on the roster by Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, who will start for Morneau. Konerko, also a four-time All-Star is hitting .298, with 20 home runs and 62 RBIs this season. Konerko finished in third place behind Kevin Youkilis of the Red Sox and Nick Swisher of the Yankees in the Final Vote. "If I can't play for my team, I'm not going to be playing for the American League," said Morneau.

- During today's New York Mets vs Atlanta Braves game, Mets' shortstop Jose Reyes was pulled from the game in the seventh inning after wincing in reaction to throwing the ball from the outfield to first base. Reyes, who has been dealing with the lingering effects of a strained right oblique injury, has withdrawn himself from the National League All-Star Team. Nonetheless, Reyes is still committed to traveling to the All-Star Game to appear as a Mets' representative.

"It's been bothering me [in] everything that I do," he said of the injury. "I'll just try to back off a little bit and try to rest a little bit and see what happens in the next few days."

He will be replaced on the roster by Los Angeles Dodgers' shortstop Rafael Furcal. Many analysts felt as though Furcal was snubbed from the All-Star team, due to his .333, 6 home runs, 35 RBIs line compared to Reyes' .275, 6 home runs, 33 RBIs line. Furcal will be taking over Reyes' role as a reserve.

- Atlanta Braves' rookie outfield phenom Jason Heyward will not participate in the All-Star Game and will not start for the National League All-Star Team. Heyward, who has been nursing a deep bone bruise in his left thumb for the past two months, was voted in to start for the National League. His replacement has not yet been announced.