Baseball notebook: Fans select Votto, Swisher
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto and the New York Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher have been chosen by fans for the final roster spots for Tuesday’s All-Star game in Anaheim.
Votto earned the 34th and final spot on the National League roster by beating out Washington third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, Colorado outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and Atlanta closer Billy Wagner in a four-day Internet vote.
Swisher edged out Boston first baseman Kevin Youkilis for the final A.L spot. He was also competing against Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, Texas third baseman Michael Young and Minnesota outfielder Delmon Young.
Ramirez in Derby
Florida shortstop Hanley Ramirez has been added to the Home Run Derby during the All-Star break.
The 2009 N.L. batting champion will participate in his first derby on Monday in Anaheim, Calif. He has 13 home runs this season.
Morneau day to day
Minnesota first baseman Justin Morneau is day to day with a “mild concussion” after he was accidentally kneed in the head Wednesday.
Morneau is second in the A.L. with a .345 average.
Rangers sale on hold
An auction to sell the Texas Rangers was in limbo following opposition to the process that would have been controlled by Major League Baseball.
Just days after seeking court approval for the July 16 auction, the team withdrew its motion following opposition from the court-appointed restructuring officer in the bankruptcy case. William K. Snyder, appointed to make sure the team was maximizing its assets, said he no longer supported the Rangers’ bidding process but still believed the team should be sold at an auction.
Snyder did not say which terms of the proposed auction he did not like or if his rejection was based on this week’s mediation between the team and its angry creditors.
Runzler injures knee
San Francisco reliever Dan Runzler dislocated his left knee and had to leave while batting in the seventh inning of the Giants’ game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Runzler swung and missed on a 1-1 pitch from David Riske, falling backward onto the ground in his first major-league at-bat.