Arrow-right Camera
Subscribe now
Seattle Mariners

King Felix named to All-Star roster

Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez earned his sixth All-Star Game appearance. (Associated Press)

The gathering of baseball’s stars next week in Cincinnati will include the King.

Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez was among the pitchers selected Monday to the American League roster for All-Star Game on July 14 at Great American Ball Park.

“It’s always special to be an All-Star,” said Hernandez, who started last year’s game at Minnesota. “It’s one of those things that everybody wants to be. Every year, it’s an honor.”

Hernandez will join teammate Nelson Cruz, who was voted by fans as the A.L.’s starting designated hitter in results announced Sunday by Major League Baseball.

Hernandez is 10-5 with a 3.02 ERA with one start remaining — Thursday against the Angels — before the break.

The pitchers and all but one reserve for the 34-player squads were revealed Monday along with the five Final Vote candidates in each league.

Hernandez, 29, and Cruz, 35, are the only Mariners’ players picked to the A.L. squad, although manager Lloyd McClendon will serve as a coach under Kansas City manager Ned Yost.

This is the sixth selection for Hernandez.

• Less than three months after making his major league debut, Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant is an All-Star, one of two rookies selected, along with Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson.

But there was no room on the roster for Alex Rodriguez, enjoying a renaissance in his return to the Yankees following a season-long drug suspension.

A team-record six Royals were picked for the game, with players electing pitcher Wade Davis, and A.L. manager Ned Yost of Kansas City selecting reliever Kelvin Herrera. They join Royals outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Alex Gordon, catcher Salvador Perez and shortstop Alcides Escobar, who were elected on Sunday as starters.

St. Louis tops the N.L. with five players. Shortstop Jhonny Peralta was elected to start along with outfielder Matt Holliday, who isn’t sure when he’ll be activated from the disabled list. Catcher Yadier Molina and reliever Trevor Rosenthal were elected by players, and N.L. manager Bruce Bochy of San Francisco picked pitcher Michael Wacha.

• Complete rosters, Scoreboard/B4

Harper out of HR derby

Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper won’t participate in next Monday’s All-Star Home Run Derby because his father isn’t available to pitch to him.

Harper finished second in the 2013 Derby with his dad as the pitcher. But his father recently underwent shoulder surgery, so Harper said he will skip the event.

K.C. game shelved due to weather

The game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Royals scheduled for Monday night has been postponed with tornado warnings in the Kansas City area.

The Royals and Rays will play a day-night doubleheader today, with games at 10:10 a.m. and 4:10 p.m.