After an initial snub, Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts is going to the All-Star Game, after all. He was one of three players added to the American League All-Star team on Wednesday as injury replacements.
Bogaerts, Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe, and Minnesota Twins starter Jose Berrios are in. They’re replacing Texas Rangers DH Hunter Pence, Twins starter Jake Odorizzi, and Los Angeles Angels utility man Tommy La Stella, who are sidelined with injuries.
Pence has been sidelined with a groin injury since mid-June. Odorizzi was placed on the IL after sustaining a blister in Tuesday’s start. La Stella was also hurt on Tuesday when he fouled a ball off of his shin.
Bogaerts is the only one of the three replacements to have previously made an All-Star Game, going in 2016. In 2019, he’s hitting .301/.392/.541 with 16 home runs. So, he’s certainly worthy of the trip.
Berrios, meanwhile is having a great year for the Twins. In 112 innings over 17 starts, he’s posted an 8-4 record with a 2.89 ERA, 1.080 WHIP, and 102 strikeouts.
Lowe is enjoying a breakout campaign in his first full MLB season. He’s hitting .276/.339/.523 with 16 home runs for the Rays.