The Texas Rangers will have an All-Star starter on their home turf after all.
Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien will start at second base in Tuesday’s All-Star game at Globe Life Field, the league announced on Thursday. Semien — who had already been selected to compete in the event as a reserve — earned the nod because Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve will miss the game to rest a sore left hand that was hit by a pitch on July 5. Minnesota Twins second baseman Willi Castro was named Altuve’s replacement on the roster.
It will be Semien’s third start in as many career trips to the midsummer classic. He’ll become the first Rangers player to start in consecutive All-Star games since Josh Hamilton and Adrián Beltré did so from 2011-12.
Semien, who had originally lost the fan vote to start in the game to Altuve, has slashed .235/.303/.382 with 12 home runs, 59 runs scored and 50 driven in this season. He’s played in all but two of Texas’ games this season and, according to FanGraphs, ranks third among American League second baseman with 2.1 WAR.
He hit just .202 in July, but collected five hits (including two multi-hit games) in the Rangers’ series victory against the Los Angeles Angels this week in Anaheim.
Closer Kirby Yates was also named to the AL All-Star team, and right fielder Adolis García will compete in Monday’s Home Run Derby.
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