Major League Baseball

All-Star shuffle: Injuries, new rule revamp roster

Published Jul. 12, 2010 4:13 a.m. ET

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Justin Verlander and Andrew Bailey are in. Jason Heyward is out. Adrian Beltre is a maybe.

And in the land of the famous In-N-Out burger, Jered Weaver is both.

The All-Star shuffle kept up Sunday, with injuries and a new rule taking their toll. So if you're confused about who's coming to Angel Stadium on Tuesday night, you're not alone.

Joe Mauer is headed to this ''All-Scar'' game, banged-up shoulder and all.

''Am I feeling great? No, and I could use a couple days off, but I'm able to go out there and play, so I'll be there,'' the Minnesota catcher said.

But Heyward became the latest guy to join the dropout list. NL manager Charlie Manuel wanted Billy Wagner as a replacement - no good, the Braves closer declined because of a sore ankle.

Verlander, Bailey and Weaver were added to the American League team. A couple of AL spots opened up because of a change that prohibits pitchers who start on Sunday from being on the active roster. That meant All-Stars CC Sabathia and Trevor Cahill were out.

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

Weaver now will cancel his nice getaway to the Napa Valley wine country in Northern California to stay close by. He'll take part in the festivities and be announced to the home crowd.

''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.

''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.''

The likes of Mariano Rivera, Chase Utley and Dustin Pedroia already were sidelined for the showcase. Then achy All-Stars Justin Morneau and Jose Reyes announced this weekend they were out, too.

Beltre could be the next one marked absent. The Boston third baseman left Sunday's game at Toronto with a strained left hamstring.

''If I don't feel good I won't play,'' Beltre said. ''I don't want to screw up my season for a couple of at-bats in an exhibition game.''

Boston pitcher Clay Buchholz, Red Sox catcher Victor Martinez, Milwaukee pitcher Yovani Gallardo and Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki also made the All-Star team but aren't able to play.

The hurts, however, helped a few others to make the roster.

Pitchers Andy Pettitte of the Yankees and Hong-Chih Kuo of the Dodgers, closers Heath Bell of San Diego and Rafael Soriano of Tampa Bay, second basemen Ian Kinsler of Texas and Brandon Phillips of Cincinnati, Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal, White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko and Toronto catcher John Buck were picked as injury replacements.

''I'll do everything I can to get everyone in,'' Girardi said.

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AP Sports Writer Tim Booth and AP freelance writers Dave Hogg in Detroit and Michael Wagaman and Rick Eymer in Oakland contributed to this report.

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