All-Star replacements announced: Tim Anderson earns 1st nod
Major League Baseball announced a number of 2021 All-Star replacements Saturday.
Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson, Oakland Athletics righty Chris Bassitt, and Kansas City Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield will join the AL roster, while St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, Los Angeles Dodgers' Walker Buehler, Justin Turner, and Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer were added to the NL squad.
Molina decided on Saturday afternoon that he won't attend the All-Star Game so he can rest his sore foot, reports Derrick S. Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Milwaukee Brewers catcher Omar Narvaez will take the spot abandoned by Molina, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi.
Buehler and Turner are making their second All-Star appearances, while Scherzer earned his eighth.
In the AL, Anderson becomes the fourth member of the White Sox to make it to the Midsummer Classic, joining pitchers Liam Hendriks, Lance Lynn, and Carlos Rodon. The 28-year-old is hitting .312/.350/.429 with six homers and 14 stolen bases over 72 games.
Make that FOUR All-Stars.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 10, 2021
Congratulations @TimAnderson7 on the well-deserved nod! pic.twitter.com/xCRUYCfJMW
Like Anderson, Bassitt will make his first appearance, while Merrifield earned his second.
With Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve, Ryan Pressly, and Michael Brantley unable to play, the Houston Astros are without a representative.