Injuries take toll on Miami Marlins’ All-Stars

Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton’s gear — from his jersey to workout clothes — hung next to Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper’s locker in a recreation of the All-Star clubhouse inside the Duke Energy Convention Center.

An image of Marlins All-Star second baseman Dee Gordon adorned the outside of the building where the T-Mobile FanFest is being held in the downtown area.

And yet, for the second time in four years, no Marlins will line up for the Midsummer Classic when baseball’s best compete at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Great American Ball Park.

Despite both players receiving the fan vote to start, the first time that has happened in the organization’s history, injuries will keep Stanton (left wrist surgery) and Gordon (left dislocated thumb) out of the All-Star Game.

Joining them on the list include Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday, Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera and Royals outfielder Alex Gordon.

“A lot of injuries on both ends, but this is Major League Baseball and there’s people who can take their places,” Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen said. “That’s not an issue. You got one guy go down, another guy comes up. That’s OK, that’s fine. One guy went down, Troy Tulowitzki comes up. ‘OK, Troy Tulowitzski. That guy’s pretty good.’ That’s never been an issue for us. A lot of great competition, stiff competition. I look forward to the game.”

Stanton, who has been out for two weeks, still paces the majors with 27 home runs. When he fractured the left hamate in his wrist, his 67 RBI also led the big leagues. This marks the second time an injury has kept Stanton from participating in the All-Star Game (the other came in 2012). McCutchen got the nod in his place and will bat in Gordon’s leadoff spot.

Gordon, who dislocated his left thumb on Saturday sliding headfirst into first base for an infield single, was replaced by Rockies Gold Glover DJ LeMahieu. A two-time All-Star, Gordon leads baseball with 122 hits, ranks second with 33 stolen bases and fifth with a .338 average.

GORDON ATTENDS

Gordon and his and family arrived at 3 p.m. in Cincinnati. He mingled during the National League’s batting practice, particularly with former Dodgers teammates like Zack Greinke, Joc Pederson and Clayton Kershaw.

“I had to represent the Marlins and my teammates and pretty much thank the fans for voting me in, so I thought it would be the right thing to do to show my appreciation,” Gordon said. “I’m going to be a great cheerleader and cheer us to victory.”

Dodgers rookie Joc Pederson, who also participated in Monday’s Home Run Derby, filled in for Holliday.

Cabrera, whose .350 average is best in the big leagues, will not start after sustaining a calf injury that put him on the disabled list for the first time in his career. Albert Pujols took over for him in his 10th All-Star Game. The Yankees’ Brett Gardner, part of the AL Final Vote, replaced Gordon after he strained his right groin four days ago.

“It’s mind-blowing to have the chance to work with and manage so much talent in one place,” National League and Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “I will say the years that I’ve had the chance to pick the players for the team, this has been the most difficult. It really was. A lot of guys that had strong cases and as usual though there just wasn’t room in there.”

The Royals and Cardinals lead all clubs with seven and six All-Stars, respectively. Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel (11-4, 2.33 ERA) and right-hander Greinke (8-2, 1.39 ERA) will be the starting pitchers.

LOCAL STARS

Four South Florida products will make All-Star appearances. Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal (Miami Springs High School, University of Miami) and Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez (Flanagan High School, Nova Southeastern University) received their first selections, while Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (Parkland Stoneman Douglas High School) and Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (Miami Brito High School) garnered their second honors.

Both Grandal and Martinez typically work out together over the offseason at Bommarito Performance Systems in Miami along with Cabrera, Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli as well as Marlins Martin Prado and Michael Morse.

“There is a bunch of us here,” Grandal said of the South Florida representation. “I just saw a couple of guys outside. It’s like going back to the offseason and seeing all the guys again. Just happy to be here. It’s obviously worked out great.”

This story was originally published July 13, 2015 at 8:54 PM with the headline "Injuries take toll on Miami Marlins’ All-Stars."