CLEVELAND — Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve won’t play in Tuesday’s All-Star Game after being hit by a pitch and will be replaced by Cleveland’s Andrés Giménez, who will now start in his first appearance.
Altuve was struck on the left knee leading off Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels. He was kept out of the lineup Friday night, and Major League Baseball announced Saturday that the eight-time All-Star will not participate in the game at Dodger Stadium.
Altuve was selected as a starter in fan voting. Toronto’s Santiago Espinal will replace Altuve on the American League roster.
Giménez will take Altuve’s spot in the starting lineup. The 23-year-old Giménez, who came to Cleveland last year as part of the trade that sent shortstop Francisco Lindor to the New York Mets, is having a standout season. He’s batting .299 with 10 homers and 43 RBIs in 78 games and is playing solid defense. He has also been incredibly clutch, batting .384 with runners in scoring position.