Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado jogs off the field between innings of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Monday, June 25, 2018, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)(AP/Patrick Semansky)
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado jogs off the field between innings of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Monday, June 25, 2018, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)(AP/Patrick Semansky)
WASHINGTON — The votes are in and Major League Baseball announced the rosters for the All-Star Game in D.C. this season.
MLB’s 89th All-Star Game gets underway at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
With that being said, here is your 2018 American League All-Star team.
Catcher: Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals
Perez was named the AL’s starting catcher in the wake of Wilson Ramos’ hamstring injury.
Perez’s offense has dropped off this year, as he’s hitting just .221, but he’s arguably the best defensive catcher in the game and has still slugged 13 home runs.
This will be his sixth consecutive trip to the Midsummer Classic and his fourth as a starter.
(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall
First base: Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox
Cuban-born slugger Jose Abreu is the first member of the White Sox to start an All-Star Game since Frank Thomas back in 1996.
Despite getting off to a hot start, Abreu has really struggled in June and July. Despite his recent struggles, he is still hitting .259/.315/.448, and leads all American League second basemen with 27 doubles and 50 RBI.
This is Abreu’s first time starting an All-Star Game — he previously made it as a reserve in his rookie season of 2014.
(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
Second baseman: Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
Not much of a surprise that the reigning American League MVP received more votes than anyone else in baseball.
Through July 8, Altuve leads the AL in hits and his .338 batting average is second-best in the junior circuit. He leads all qualified second baseman in the AL in hits, batting average, on-base percentage and OPS.
This is Altuve’s sixth All-Star Game and his third as a starter.
Fun fact: Altuve made the National League All-Star team in 2012 and is the only person to play in All-Star Game for the same team in two different leagues. The Astros moved from the NL to the AL in 2013. The Milwaukee Brewers are the only other team to switch leagues.
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
AP Photo/Jae C. Hong
Third baseman: Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Indians
Cleveland’s 25-year-old third baseman has already hit a whopping 24 homers, good for fourth in the American League. He leads all qualified third baseman in the AL homers, slugging percentage, OPS and stolen bases.
This is his second All-Star Game, he also started at third for the American League in 2017.
(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
Shortstop: Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles
Machado is no stranger to the All-Star Game but this is his first year playing as a full-time shortstop.
There is no shortage of really good shortstops in the AL this year, but Machado ranks in the top three in batting average, on-base percentage, OPS and homers. His 21 homers place him in a four-way tie for eighth in the American League.
Oriole fans might want to savor this game. Machado is a free agent at the end of the season and could be traded before then, meaning the All-Star Game could be Machado’s swan song as a member of the Orioles.
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
Outfielder: Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox
Betts leads the American League in batting average, slugging percentage and OPS. Among qualified outfielders in the AL he ranks in the top three in homers, stolen bases and on-base percentage.
This is Betts’ third straight trip to the All-Star Game, he has been named a starter each time.
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Outfielder: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
If you like home runs, you’ll love Aaron Judge.
The reigning AL Rookie of the Year has already hit 25 of them through July 8, which puts in him a two-way tie for second place in all of baseball. Judge also ranks in the top five in the AL in slugging percentage, on-base percentage, OPS, runs scored and walks.
This is Judge’s second straight All-Star appearance and second straight time in the starting lineup.
(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
Outfielder: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
Arguably the best player in all of baseball, Mike Trout is leading the majors in walks and on-base percentage. For qualified outfielders in American League, he rates in the top three for homers and batting average, and is in the top five for stolen bases. More than halfway through the season he is worth 6.6 wins above replacement, which is threatening to challenge the single-season MLB record for position players (14.1) set by some guy named Babe Ruth in 1923.
This is Trout’s seventh-straight All-Star Game and his fifth time appearing in the starting lineup.
(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
AP Photo/Kyusung Gong
DH: J.D. Martinez, Boston Red Sox
There is no shortage of power in the AL’s starting lineup and J.D. Martinez plays a big role in that.
Through July 8, he leads the majors in homers, RBI and total bases. His .329 batting average is the fourth-best in the majors, and he ranks in the top five in most offensive categories in the American League.
This is Martinez’s second trip to the All-Star Game. Back in 2015, he was named to the AL All-Star team as a member of the Detroit Tigers, but was not a starter.
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
AP Photo/Charles Krupa
Starting Pitcher: Chris Sale, Boston Red Sox
Chris Sale, the lanky lefty whose pitching motion seem to defy all conventions about pitching, and occasionally the laws of physics.
He leads the AL is strikeouts, strikeouts per 9 innings and is the top-five in the league for ERA, wins above replacement for pitchers and hits per 9 innings.
This is his seventh-straight All-Star Game and his third straight appearance as the starting pitcher. He started the All-Star Game last year and in 2016, when he was still on the White Sox.
(AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
AP Photo/Winslow Townson
Catcher: Wilson Ramos, Tampa Bay Rays
Ramos was voted as the AL’s starting catcher, but a hamstring injury means he won’t be able to play in Tuesday’s game.
Former National Wilson Ramos has bounced back after a rough 2017. He leads catchers in the American League with a .289 batting average and has the highest OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) for qualified catchers in the AL.
This is second All-Star Game but his first as a starter. He previously played in the 2016 All-Star Game as a member of the Nationals.
(AP Photo/Steve Nesius)
AP Photo/Steve Nesius
Catcher: Yan Gomes, Cleveland Indians
With Ramos unable to play, Salvador Perez was bumped up to the role of starting catcher thus creating an opening for Gomes.
Through the All-Star Break, Gomes was hitting .247 with 10 home runs. This is his first All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
AP Photo/Carlos Osorio
First baseman: Mitch Moreland, Boston Red Sox
The 32-year-old Moreland is something of a surprise inclusion, but he’s having easily the best season of his nine-year MLB career. In addition to his 11 home runs, his .358 on-base percentage would rank second among AL first basemen, if he had enough at-bats to qualify.
This is his first All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
AP Photo/Winslow Townson
Second baseman: Gleyber Torres, New York Yankees
At just 21, the Venezuelan rookie has already established himself as a major power threat as a middle infielder, slugging 15 home runs in just 218 at-bats through July 8, second-most among AL second basemen. His .905 OPS would be the best among all big league second basemen if he had enough at-bats to qualify for a batting title.
An injury to his right hip landed him on the disabled list, which means he will not appear in Tuesday’s game.
(AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
AP Photo/Adam Hunger
Second baseman: Jed Lowrie, Oakland A’s
Torres’ injury created an opening for the A’s 34-year-old second baseman.
His 16 home runs and 62 RBIs lead all second baseman in the AL and he has the second highest OPS.
This is his first All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
AP Photo/Carlos Osorio
Third baseman: Alex Bregman, Houston Astros
Bregman cracks the AL top 10 in wins above replacement, on-base percentage, total bases and doubles. He leads all qualified third baseman in the AL in doubles and is second only to Jose Ramirez in most other offensive categories.
This is his first All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith
Shortstop: Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians
If it weren’t for Mike Trout, Lindor’s name would probably come up when people talk about the best players in the game.
Through the All-Star break, he cracks the top ten in the AL for wins above replacement, runs scored, hits, total bases, doubles and homers and leads American League shortstops in home runs.
This is Lindor’s third All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/David Dermer)
AP Photo/David Dermer
Outfielder: Michael Brantley, Cleveland Indians
Brantley returns to the Midsummer Classic for the second straight year, despite missing most of the second half of 2017 with injury. His .306 batting average is fourth-best among AL outfielders and he’s struck out just 30 times in more than 300 at-bats. This is his third All-Star Game overall.
(AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
AP Photo/Tony Dejak
Outfielder: Shin-Soo Choo, Texas Rangers
The 14-year veteran outfielder has been a solid player throughout his career, but finally breaks through to his first All-Star team in 2018. His .399 on-base percentage trails only Mookie Betts and Mike Trout, but it’s his power production that has taken the leap at age 35. Sitting on a career high of 22 home runs, Choo has already hit 17 this year.
This is his first All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
AP Photo/Brandon Wade
Outfielder: Nelson Cruz, Seattle Mariners
The former Oriole is one of the game’s premier power hitters for the last half-decade, Cruz is on his way to another potential 40-homer campaign, notching 22 already. His .909 OPS is tops on the M’s and eighth-best in the American League.
This is Cruz’s sixth All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/John Froschauer)
AP Photo/John Froschauer
Outfielder: Mitch Haniger, Seattle Mariners
Haniger has backed up the promising numbers he posted last year, hitting 17 home runs and reaching base at a .357 clip for the surprising Seattle Mariners. He’s also driven in 62, tying him for second in the AL in RBI through Sunday. This is his first All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
Outfielder: George Springer, Houston Astros
Last year’s World Series MVP is actually having the worst all-around offensive season of his career, but that’s still better than most. Springer’s only batting .248, but he’s hit 15 home runs and is a solid enough defender across the outfield that he’s still been worth 2.3 wins above replacement.
This is second All-Star Game, he was the starting left fielder for the American League last year.
(AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter
Pitcher: Jose Berrios, Minnesota Twins
Berrios may fly under the radar a bit pitching up in Minnesota, but the 24-year-old Puerto Rican has been one of the better pitchers in the AL this year. He’s got the eighth-lowest WHIP (1.00), has struck out 114 batters in 114.1 innings pitched, and has held opposing hitters to a .209 batting average against.
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Relief Pitcher: Aroldis Chapman, New York Yankees
After a brief stint with the Cubs in 2016, Chapman returned to the Yankees last year and struggled a bit but he has returned to form in 2018.
Through the All-Star Break, he ranks third in the AL for saves and strikeouts by a relief pitcher.
Chapman will not be pitching in Tuesday’s All-Star Game.
This is Chapman’s fifth All-Star Game but his first with the American League. Chapman was named to the National League All-Star team as a member of the Reds in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
AP Photo/Carlos Osorio
Starting Pitcher: Charlie Morton, Houston Astros
Chapman’s decision to rest during the All-Star Game created an opening for 34-year-old Charlie Morton.
Morton got the last out for the Astros in last year’s World Series and he is having the best year of his career so far. Through the All-Star break he is the top-10 in the AL for ERA, wins and strikeouts.
This is his first All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Pitcher: Gerrit Cole, Houston Astros
Cole was traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Astros in what was arguably the biggest move of the offseason this year.
Cole has not disappointed in his first year in the AL. He is in the top 10 for ERA, wins, WHIP, innings pitched and strikeouts. He also leads the AL in fewest hits-per-nine innings pitched.
This is Cole’s second All-Star Game. He made the National League All-Star Team as a member of the Pirates in 2015.
(AP Photo/Ben Margot)
AP Photo/Ben Margot
Pitcher: Edwin Diaz, Seattle Mariners
The Mariners have been one of the bigger surprises in the American League and their bullpen plays a big role in their success, especially closer Edwin Diaz.
Diaz leads the league in saves, appearances and games finished. He also has more strikeouts than any other reliever in the league.
This is Diaz’s first All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
Pitcher: J.A. Happ, Toronto Blue Jays
Happ’s 4.44 ERA is not what you would normally expect for a starting pitcher in the All-Star Game, but someone has to represent the Blue Jays.
Happ does crack the top 10 in wins and strikeouts per-nine-innings for the AL.
This is Happ’s first All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
AP Photo/Chris O’Meara
Pitcher: Joe Jimenez, Detroit Tigers
In his first full season in Detroit’s bullpen, the 23 year-old has notched a 2.85 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 41.0 IP while walking just 12, saving three games. The Tigers are having a lousy year, so he marks their lone representative.
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
AP Photo/Paul Sancya
Relief Pitcher: Craig Kimbrel, Boston Red Sox
Kimbrel’s 26 saves are the second most in the AL. Opponents are only hitting .148 against him, which is the third-best for relief pitchers with at least 30 innings pitched.
This is Kimbrel’s seventh All-Star Game and his third straight with the AL as a member of the Red Sox. He was also named to the National League All-Star Team as a member of the Atlanta Braves in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
Pitcher: Corey Kluber, Cleveland Indians
The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner is picking up where he left off last year.
Kluber cracks to the AL top-10 in ERA, wins, WHIP, hits-per-9 innings, walks-per-9 innings, innings pitched, strikeouts and complete games.
He injured his knee and won’t pitch again until after the All-Star Game. This is his third straight All-Star Game appearance.
(AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
AP Photo/Tony Dejak
Starting Pitcher, Blake Snell, Tampa Bay Rays
Blake Snell had the best ERA in the American League when the rosters for the All-Star Game were announced, so it was a bit of a surprise he didn’t make the first cut but Kluber’s injury created an opening for Snell.
At the All-Star break, Snell is in the top-10 in the AL for ERA, wins and strikeouts.
This is his first All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
AP Photo/Julie Jacobson
Pitcher: Luis Severino, New York Yankees
You can’t win on hitting alone, but there is no shortage of good pitchers in the American League.
The Yankees’ Luis Severino leads the majors in wins and his 2.12 ERA is second best in the American League. He ranks in the top 5 in most pitching categories in the AL.
At just 24 years old, this is already his second All-Star Game. He was named an All-Star in 2017 but didn’t wind up pitching in the game.
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
AP Photo/Matt Slocum
Relief Pitcher: Blake Treinen, Oakland A’s
Former National Blake Treinen was traded to Oakland for Sean Doolittle last season and has really turned things around since donning the green and gold.
Treinen has a microscopic ERA of 0.81, no other pitcher who has thrown at least 30 innings has a lower ERA. Treinen is also in the top 10 for AL relief pitchers in strikeouts and innings pitched.
This is first All-Star Game.
(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
AP Photo/Jeff Chiu
Pitcher: Justin Verlander, Houston Astros
At 35 years old, most power pitchers are in the twilight of their careers but not Verlander. After playing a huge role in leading the Astros to the team’s first World Series title, Verlander is picking up where he left off.
He leads the AL in innings pitched, games started, and WHIP (walks plus hits divided by innings pitched). His 2.15 ERA is second best in the AL and ranks fourth in the league with 154 strikeouts.
This will be his sixth All-Star Game and his first since 2013. The good news for NL hitters is they won’t have to face Verlander, since the Astros’ manager (who is also the manager for the AL on account of winning the pennant) already ruled Verlander won’t actually pitch in the game. Cleveland Indians starter Trevor Bauer will take his place.
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Shortstop: Jean Segura, Seattle Mariners
Segura won the AL’s Final Vote.
Through the All-Star break, Segura led qualified shortstops in batting average.
This is Segura’s second All-Star Game, he was named to the National League All-Star team in 2013 as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers.
(AP Photo/John Froschauer)