Astros’ Jose Altuve won’t play in All-Star Game to rest his sore left hand. Marcus Semien will start in his place

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

Fans chose Altuve to start the game in place of Marcus Semien, who will now start in his home stadium. Minnesota Twins second baseman Willi Castro will take Altuve’s place on the American League roster.

Altuve left Friday’s game against the Twins after being hit in the left hand by a pitch. Although Altuve has started Houston’s last three games, he showed reporters a still-swollen and bruised hand in this home game.

“Obviously, we have a really important second half of the season and I want to be healthy,” Altuve said Thursday afternoon. “I’m proud and grateful to all the Houston Astros fans who voted not only for me but for everyone on this team to make this possible. This is a huge event for us. Unfortunately, I got hit in the hand and I’m playing through some issues, so I really want to enjoy these days and be ready for the second half.”

“I took a 96 hit to my hand and it’s still swollen and bruised. We’re trying to win some games and finish the first half strong, that’s why I’m on the field. But I think these four days will be good to get back to normal, heal up and come back in the second half.”

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

Altuve has been selected to the All-Star Game nine times, the most in franchise history. He has not attended an All-Star Game since 2018 at Nationals Park.

Altuve was named to the team in 2021 and 2022, but opted out of both games due to lingering injuries, neither of which required a stint on injured reserve.

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

Tucker, who was named as a replacement, is on the injured list with a right shin contusion and will not play in 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 designated hitter, but he left Wednesday’s blowout win over the Miami Marlins with what the team described as “right hip stiffness.” Although Alvarez didn’t start Thursday’s game against the Marlins, manager Joe Espada said he still plans to play in the All-Star Game.

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(Photo: Mark Blinch/Getty Images)