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Well here’s a pleasant surprise, Tigers fans. Detroit’s intrepid left fielder Justin Upton has been added to the 2017 MLB All-Star team.
Today the second round of selections were announced, for replacement players who would take the place of anyone who couldn’t attend the game for health reasons — such as Mike Trout, still recovering from his thumb injury.
This is Justin Upton’s fourth trip to the All-Star Game, and his first time representing the American League and the Tigers. He previously attended in 2009 and 2011 as a Diamondback, and in 2015 for the Padres.
Upton is currently hitting .271/.356/.507 and has been a remarkably consistent part of the Tigers lineup both offensively and defensively this season.
Congratulations to @JUST_JUP on being added to the American League All-Star Team! pic.twitter.com/XT1H0U9c9k
— Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) July 7, 2017
While Upton has not been selected to officially replace pitcher Michael Fulmer, that will partly be his role for the game. Fulmer, who will still attend the game, will be unable to pitch because he starts the Sunday game against the Cleveland Indians, along with fellow All-Star pitcher Corey Kluber. Neither pitcher will meet the mandatory rest requirements to be eligible to pitch in the Tuesday game.
Congratulations to Justin Upton!