Citing injuries, Jose Ramirez withdraws from All-Star Game

Houston third baseman Isaac Paredes was picked Wednesday to replace the Guardians' Jose Ramirez (wrist) in Tuesday's All-Star Game in Atlanta. Ramirez was previously voted the starting third baseman. That gives the Astros four All-Stars in shortstop Jeremy Peña and pitchers Hunter Brown and Josh Hader. Peña (ribs) was also replaced by Detroit's Zach McKinstry on Wednesday. The Guardians said Ramírez wanted "to focus on recovery and preparation for the second half of the season." Ramírez was hit by a pitch in a game against Toronto on June 26 and has struggled at the plate ever since. But the seven-time All-Star was still hitting .299 with 16 homers, 44 RBIs and 24 stolen bases through 87 games for the Guardians entering Wednesday night in Houston. Paredes is headed to his second straight All-Star Game in his first season in Houston. He's hitting a career-best .255 with 19 homers and 49 RBIs for the Astros, who have a comfortable lead over Seattle in the NL West. The Tigers have the best record in the majors and with McKinstry they are tied for having the most All-Stars, too. McKinstry joins second baseman Gleyber Torres and outfielders Javier Báez and Riley Greene — all AL starters — and staff ace Tarik Skubal, who also is among the candidates to start the All-Star Game. The five All-Stars for Detroit is tied with the World Series champion Dodgers, who have DH Shohei Ohtani, catcher Will Smith and first baseman Freddie Freeman starting for the NL along with pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Clayton Kershaw. Yamamoto is scheduled to start Sunday for Los Angeles, so Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott has been picked to replace him. Milwaukee closer Trevor Megill also was added to the NL All-Star team Wednesday, shortly after he struck out Freddie Freeman, Andy Pages and Tommy Edman in order in the 10th inning to earn the win in the Brewers' 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Megill earned his first career All-Star selection by going 2-2 with a 2.41 ERA, 21 saves and 43 strikeouts in 33 2/3 innings. "This was the goal in the offseason," Megill said. "Just worked my butt off for it, and here we are." Megill is filling the roster spot of Milwaukee teammate Freddy Peralta, the scheduled starting pitcher for the Brewers game against Washington on Sunday. The Tigers have been one of the surprise stories of the first half of the season. After going 86-76 and tying for second in the AL Central last season, 6.5 games behind the division-winning Guardians, they were off to a 59-34 start heading into Wednesday night's series finale against Tampa Bay — three games ahead of the Dodgers for the best record in the majors. The versatile McKinstry has been a big reason why. Along with playing every infield position besides catcher, and both corner outfield spots, McKinstry entered Wednesday hitting .283 with seven homers and 27 RBIs. The 30-year-old needs just three more homers and nine RBIs to set career highs. Peña, who is hitting a career-best .322 with 11 homers and 40 RBIs in 82 games for the Astros, has been out since June 28 with a fractured rib. He had hoped to return by the All-Star break, but has not been cleared to resume baseball activity.