Houston Astros lack presence as All-Star events intensify

ARLINGTON — The Astros had three players selected to this year’s All-Star Game, tied for third among American League teams, though it would have been hard to tell since the All-Star teams met in Arlington a day before the game.

None of the three Astros players were in attendance Monday when the All-Stars gathered at Globe Life Field for media availability, team photos and, later, the Home Run Derby. Two of them, Jose Altuve and Kyle Tucker, were removed from the American League roster last week because of injuries. Yordan Alvarez, the lone Astros player set to play in Tuesday’s All-Star Game, was not at media day.

Alvarez was not in attendance Monday because of a family commitment and will arrive in Arlington Tuesday, an Astros spokesman said. Alvarez was voted in by fans as the American League’s starting designated hitter for the All-Star Game. He will bat fifth in the American League lineup as constructed by Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, who will lead the American League team after leading Texas to the World Series last year.

Tucker, who was named to the American League team as a reserve, has been on injured reserve since June 3 with a bruised shin and said over the weekend he plans to stay in Houston through the All-Star break to continue his rehab work.

Altuve, voted in by fans as the American League’s starting second baseman, opted out of the game to rest a sore left hand after being hit by a pitch on July 6 in Minnesota, according to the Astros. Altuve missed one game after being hit by a pitch, then returned to play in Houston’s final seven games before the break. Texas’ Marcus Semien will replace him as the American League’s starting second baseman.

Baseball’s collective bargaining agreement states that players selected for the All-Star Game are required to attend, but provides exceptions for several reasons, including if the player’s team “advises him to refrain from baseball activities during the All-Star break to treat an injury or chronic condition.”

Players selected to the All-Star team are required to participate in activities surrounding the event, including media day, unless exempted from participation by the Commissioner’s office, as per the collective bargaining agreement.