ARLINGTON — Astros hitter Yordan Alvarez was selected for the Los Angeles All-Star Game last year, but a hand injury meant he had to settle for watching the Midsummer Classic on TV — a game in which his teammate Framber Valdez emerged victorious from Krug.
That’s why Alvarez said Sunday, despite being on the injured list again, that he wants to attend the celebrations this year and will travel with Valdez to the 2023 All-Star Game in Seattle, taking place July 11 at T-Mobile Park should.
Alvarez was selected by the players as a reserve player for the American League team, and Valdez was selected by Major League Baseball. It’s the second consecutive All-Star nomination for both players, who will be the only Astros players in Seattle.
“My plan is to leave,” said Alvarez, who has been out since June 8 with an oblique strain. “Last year I couldn’t participate and I want to be able to have that experience.”
Alvarez and Valdez will have plenty of company in Seattle. Astros manager Dusty Baker and his entire coaching staff will lead the AL for the second year in a row after winning the AL pennant last year. Baker announced the All-Star selection in the clubhouse ahead of Sunday’s game against Rangers.
“I like the combination of fan voting and player voting because the fans are voting on who has the notoriety, except we have some new All-Stars and new names,” Baker said. “It means a lot when your peers vote for you. I am pleased [Alvarez]. However, I hope we get Yordan back shortly after the All-Star break.”
The 29-year-old Valdez is 7-6 with a 2.49 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP in 16 starts, including an A’s shutout. In 105 innings, he allowed 86 hits, 24 walks and knocked out 110 batters. At the start of Sunday, he led the AL in the ERA, finishing third in innings pitching and seventh in strikeouts.
The left-hander has struggled with a sore left ankle in his last two appearances and is unlikely to serve again until Thursday or Friday in Houston, which could potentially land him in the starting XI for the All-Star Game.
“It would be a great honor for me,” said Valdez. “I think if I’m pitching on Friday or Thursday I’d be in the regular rest period. Obviously, in the All-Star Game, you would probably only pitch one inning. I’ll try to do everything right to stay healthy and be in the right position when the time comes.”
The 26-year-old Alvarez was hitting .277/.388/.589 with 17 homers and 55 RBIs in 57 games when he injured his racquet swing on June 8 in Toronto. At the time of the injury, he was leading the major leagues in RBIs. He still finished eighth in the AL in Sunday’s RBIs despite missing 20 games.
“Definitely very frustrating,” Alvarez said. “It’s something that came out of nowhere. I felt pretty good on the plate; This is something I didn’t expect. I tried to hide it as best as I could but the pain was so great that I couldn’t hide it anymore and I had to tell the team about it. It’s very frustrating. Of course, I wouldn’t wish on anyone to be absent for four to six weeks.”