SEATTLE (AP) 鈥 Toronto closer Jordan Romano is replacing Houston starter Framber Valdez on the American League roster for Tuesday's All-Star Game.
AL manager Dusty Baker of the Houston Astros said the New York Yankees' Gerrit Cole won't pitch in the All-Star Game because he would be on two days' rest following a start Saturday.
Valdez pitched six innings for Houston on Saturday after skipping a turn because of a sprained right ankle.
鈥淲e can鈥檛 risk Framber on two or three days鈥 rest for an exhibition game,鈥 Baker said in Houston before the Astros played Seattle on Sunday. "I know it鈥檚 important, but our season is far more important than the All-Star Game. It鈥檚 an honor to maybe start, but if he鈥檚 pitching on the route he鈥檚 in, he鈥檒l have three or four opportunities to start in the future. So right now we got to take care of Framber.鈥
Baker talked with Valdez about the decision.
鈥淗e鈥檚 probably not happy with it,鈥 Baker said. 鈥淏ut sometimes you鈥檝e got to make tough decisions for the player and the team. He鈥檚 just coming off of an injury. If something happened to him again, I couldn鈥檛 live with myself.鈥
Romano joined AL replacements that include Seattle center fielder Julio Rodr铆guez and right-hander George Kirby, Tampa Bay shortstop Wander Franco, Houston outfielder Kyle Tucker, Los Angeles Angels closer Carlos Est茅vez and Minnesota pitcher Pablo L贸pez.
Earlier NL replacements include pitchers Kodai Senga of the New York Mets, Alex Cobb of San Francisco, Craig Kimbrel of Philadelphia, David Bednar of Pittsburgh, Corbin Burnes of Milwaukee along with Arizona infielder Geraldo Perdomo.
New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge, Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout, Houston outfielder Yordan Alvarez, Tampa Bay left-hander Shane McClanahan, Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw and Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson were dropped earlier in the week because of injuries, and Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase decided to skip the game because of the imminent birth of a child.
Among other All-Stars who won't pitch in the game are Atlanta鈥檚 Bruce Elder and Spencer Strider, the Chicago Cubs鈥 Marcus Stroman, Milwaukee鈥檚 Devin Williams and Toronto鈥檚 Kevin Gausman.
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