Diaz, Kluber added to All-Star teams as injury replacements
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- St. Louis rookie shortstop Aledmys Diaz will replace his teammate, infielder Matt Carpenter, on the National League roster for next week's All-Star game.
The American League also made a change, with Cleveland right-hander Corey Kluber stepping in for Toronto pitcher Marco Estrada, who has been placed on the 15-day disabled list.
The replacements were announced Thursday by NL manager Terry Collins of the New York Mets and AL manager Ned Yost of the Kansas City Royals.
Carpenter made his third All-Star team, but left Wednesday night's game against Pittsburgh with an injury. Diaz is batting .319 with 12 home runs, 44 RBI, 22 doubles, 54 runs scored, a .382 on-base percentage and a .534 slugging percentage.
"The last three months have been crazy, a lot of things happening," Diaz said. For sure it's exciting to be part of the All-Star game."
Was he thinking this was possible in spring training?
"Maybe not," Diaz added. "I think this organization gives a lot of confidence to young players, they treat them the right way, My first two years they've given me a lot of support and I feel I can be an all-star, I can play every day and help my team win."
Diaz said he also is looking forward to being part of the festivities in Boston slugger David Ortiz's final season.
Kluber, the 2014 AL Cy Young Award winner, will be making his All-Star debut in his sixth major league season. Kluber is 8-8 with a 3.79 ERA, striking out 114 batters in 114 innings.
