Major League Baseball
AL adds three to All-Star roster
Major League Baseball

AL adds three to All-Star roster

Published Jul. 11, 2010 6:07 p.m. ET

Jered Weaver planned a nice getaway for the All-Star break, a quick trip to the Napa Valley wine country.

Instead, the Los Angeles Angels pitcher will be right at home, in the ballpark where he spends much of the season.

Pitchers Justin Verlander, Andrew Bailey and Weaver were added Sunday to the American League team for the All-Star game.

''It's a tremendous honor and something you think about when you're 9 years old. It's kind of surreal but it's going to be a trip to be surrounded by guys you've looked up to all your life,'' Weaver said.

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A couple of AL spots opened up because of a new rule - pitchers who start on Sunday are ineligible to play in Tuesday night's game. That meant All-Stars CC Sabathia of the Yankees and Trevor Cahill were out.

AL manager Joe Girardi of the Yankees picked Weaver as a replacement. Only one problem: Girardi didn't realize the Angels right-hander was pitching Sunday, too.

That means Weaver can't play, but he can take part in the festivities and be announced to the home crowd at Angel Stadium.

''Being able to line up on that line and tip my cap to the fans who have supported me for the last four years will probably give me goose bumps. It's also humbling,'' he said.

''It would be nice to warm up in the bullpen and get into the game but it is what it is. It will be fun to watch the home run derby. To be in the dugout with all those guys is going to be cool,'' he said.

No matter he's not sure whether his mini-vacation to Northern California is refundable, either.

Weaver and Cahill pitched against each other Sunday in Oakland, and the Athletics beat the Angels 5-2. The loss left Weaver at 8-5.

''It gives other guys an opportunity to go. I'm happy with the situation,'' Cahill said. ''There's so many guys that deserve to be in the game and so many guys that don't get picked, so I think it's a good way. Weaver deserves to be there so maybe this is the best way to get everybody out there.''

Bailey earned his 18th save Sunday and made his second straight All-Star team. The Oakland closer already was planning to be at the All-Star game for a promotional appearance.

''I like the rule. I guess it is weird, but since the game does mean something you want as many eligible guys as you possibly can. I think it's good that way,'' he said.

''The right representatives make the team then the replacements, we go in there and do what we can. I think it's cool that the guys that definitely deserve it are still acknowledged by getting an opportunity to go. I think it's good for the game of baseball. Maybe we can go 25 innings with all the pitchers we have,'' he said.

Verlander became a three-time All-Star. He is 11-5 for Detroit and thought there was a chance he'd get added.

''It is obviously a flawed system, and there are probably better ways to do it,'' he said. ''This is the first year they've done it this way, so I'm sure there will be changes, because this is hard on the guys who have a chance in this situation.''

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