APNEW YORK - Colorado’s Matt Holliday will replace injured Chicago Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano in the National League starting lineup for Tuesday’s All-Star game at Yankee Stadium.
“I thought I had a chance with Soriano not being able to play,” Holliday said after the Rockies’ 11-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday.
Soriano has been on the disabled list since June 12 because of a broken left hand from being hit with a pitch from Atlanta’s Jeff Bennett. Soriano was one of three outfielders elected to the starting lineup in fan voting, joined by Cubs teammate Kosuke Fukudome and Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun.
NL manager Clint Hurdle of the Rockies said Thursday that Holliday will get to start because he finished second to Braun in player voting, which is used to select the reserves.
“Obviously, your peers are important,” Holliday said. “Those are the people you compete against and compete with. It means a lot what the guys think of you.”
Hurdle said he likely would wait until Friday to fill Soriano’s roster spot.
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