Astros’ Jose Altuve to sit out All-Star Game

HOUSTON — Astros second baseman Jose Altuve will not attend or participate in next week’s All-Star Game while “opting to rest a sore left hand,” the team announced Thursday.

Fans elected Altuve to start the game over Marcus Semien, who will now get the start at his home ballpark. Minnesota Twins second baseman Willi Castro will take Altuve’s place on the American League roster.

Altuve exited Friday’s game against the Twins after being hit in the left hand with a pitch. Though Altuve has started Houston’s past three games, he showed reporters a still-swollen and bruised hand during this homestand.

“Obviously, we have a very important second half of the season and I want to be healthy,” Altuve said Thursday afternoon. “I’m proud and thankful for all the Houston Astros fans that voted not only for me but for also everybody on this team to make this possible. This is a huge, big deal for us. Unfortunately, I got hit in the hand and am playing through some stuff, so I really want to take these days and be ready for the second half.”

“I got hit by 96 right in the hand and it’s still swollen and bruised. We’re trying to win some games and finish the first half strong, so that’s why I’m out there playing. But I think these four days will be good to go back to normal and heal and come back in the second half.”

Attendance at the All-Star Game is mandatory for those selected, but a provision in the league’s collective bargaining agreement allows players to skip the exhibition if “the club advises (a player) to refrain from baseball activities during the All-Star break to treat a chronic injury or condition.”

Altuve is a nine-time All-Star, the most selections in franchise history. He has not attended an All-Star Game since 2018 at Nationals Park.

Altuve was named to the team in both 2021 and 2022 but opted out of both games citing nagging injuries, none of which required a trip to the injured list.

All of Houston’s 2021 All-Stars opted out along with Altuve. Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez and Kyle Tucker attended the 2022 game at Dodger Stadium alongside former manager Dusty Baker and Houston’s entire coaching staff.

Tucker, elected as a reserve, is on the injured list with a right shin contusion and will not attend next week’s game. Baltimore’s Anthony Santander will replace him on the American League roster, Major League Baseball announced Thursday.

Alvarez is the American League’s starting DH, but exited Wednesday’s blowout win against the Miami Marlins with what the team described as “right hip tightness.” Though Alvarez did not start Thursday’s game against the Marlins, manager Joe Espada said Alvarez still planned to participate in the All-Star Game.

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(Photo: Mark Blinch / Getty Images)