2021 MLB All-Star Game. (Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)
Both Tim Anderson and Yadier Molina were named as replacements for the 2021 MLB All-Star Game.
Major League Baseball has announced on Saturday that White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson and Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina are the latest replacement players for the upcoming All-Star Game on July 13.
Molina will not play despite being named a replacement.
This will be the first All-Star selection for Anderson who will replace Astros shortstop Carlos Correa who announced he would be skipping the game to spend time with his family. Less than 24 hours later, Correa was placed on the team’s COVID-19 injured list on Friday.
Time Anderson and Yadier Molina are the latest All-Star Game reserves
Anderson is having another solid season, slashing .312/.350/.429 with six home runs and 31 RBIs in 320 plate appearances. There were many who believed Anderson should have been named to the All-Star team when the AL reserves were initially announced.
Among them is former White Sox and Hall of Famer Frank Thomas.
Anderson will join teammates Lance Lynn, Carlos Rodon, and Liam Hendriks who were also named to the American League squad.
Meanwhile Molina would have made his 10th All-Star appearance to replace injured Giants catcher Buster Posey.
The soon-to-be 39-year-old Molina is slashing .258/.305/.417 with eight homers and 40 RBIs in 259 plate appearances this season. While his numbers aren’t necessarily dominant, the nod for Molina would’ve been a nice gesture given this could be his last season in the big leagues.
Among the other Cardinals on the NL roster are Nolan Arenado and Molina’s battery mate, Alex Reyes.