NEW YORK (AP) — Los Angeles Angels rookie closer Jordan Walden will replace ailing Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees at the All-Star game.
Major League Baseball announced Thursday that Walden will join the American League team because Rivera was an elected All-Star, meaning the next-highest ranking reliever in player balloting who was not already on the squad takes his place.
Rivera has soreness in his right arm and hasn’t pitched since Sunday, when he blew a save in the Yankees’ 3-2 loss to the Mets. He said Thursday he is available for New York’s series opener against Tampa Bay, but won’t go to the All-Star game next week.
The hard-throwing Walden has 19 saves this season. He is 1-2 with a 2.95 ERA and has struck out 39 in 36 2-3 innings.
