Lindor, Hand, Bieber to join Santana at ASG

Shortstop (4th selection), closer (3rd), starter (1st) named AL reserves

July 5th, 2019

BALTIMORE – The celebratory screams from the visitor’s clubhouse could be heard down the halls at Camden Yards.

After the Indians’ 2-0 victory over the Orioles on Sunday afternoon, the team learned it will be represented by three of its players at the 2019 MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard in front of the home crowd. will get the start at first base for the American League, shortstop will join him on the roster as a reserve and closer will be in the bullpen.

“I can’t wait to see Carlos start,” Lindor said. “I can’t wait. It’s his first time being an All-Star and being at home, it’s going to be a special two days for him. I can’t wait for the whole thing to unfold and see how the fans embrace Carlos and see Brad Hand close the game when we win. That’ll be even better.”

The Indians' All-Star contingent swelled to four on Friday, when right-hander was added to the AL roster. Bieber and A's reliever Liam Hendriks were named as replacements for Rays righty Charlie Morton and Rangers lefty Mike Minor, who are both scheduled to pitch on Sunday.

Lindor had a difficult start to the year, missing Spring Training with a calf strain before spraining his ankle just days prior to Opening Day. He missed the first 20 games of the year, but quickly made an impact on his team upon his arrival. At the time he was announced as an All-Star, Lindor owned a .291 average with an .847 OPS in 64 games.

“It’s an honor,” Lindor said. “It’s a blessing. I’m blessed to be part of it, especially being at home. It’s going to be a great event. I can’t wait. And I want to thank everybody that voted for me to be a starter and then all the coaches and players that voted for me. Thank you guys, it means a lot. And whenever you make an All-Star Game, it’s a blessing. I’m blessed to be there.”

The 2019 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard will be played on Tuesday, July 9, at Progressive Field in Cleveland. It will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 180 countries. FOX Deportes will provide Spanish-language coverage in the United States, while ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage. MLB Network, MLB.com and SiriusXM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage.

While Santana was voted in as a starter by the fans -- and will also participate in the T-Mobile Home Run Derby -- Lindor, who is one of the All-Star Game Ambassadors, was selected to participate in his fourth consecutive Midsummer Classic via the player ballot.

“I think it shows the respect he has around the league, which it should,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “I mean, he’s earned that. And the fact that it’s in Cleveland and I’m happy for him because he’s been kind of the face of almost this game, so I think it’s good not just for Cleveland, but baseball in general.”

Players around the league also voted Hand in to make his third consecutive All-Star roster (first with the Indians). Hand was traded to the Tribe the day after he sported his Padres uniform in last year’s game.

“It’s gonna be nice to know some other people there,” Hand said. “Last year, when I went, I was the only Padre, so I kind of felt like I was on the outside. It’ll be fun just being in our home ballpark with those guys.”

Hand has been one of the Indians’ most dangerous relief weapons this season, going a perfect 22-for-22 in save opportunities before blowing his first lead Wednesday against the Royals. He earned his 23rd save Sunday against the Orioles, which is tied for second-most in the Majors.

“I’m so happy for him,” Francona said. “I mean, he just does it. Every time you give him the ball, he’ll take it. He’ll take it for the second inning if you want him to. He always wants to be available. I mean that was kind of a no-brainer for me. If he’s not an All-Star, nobody is.”

At 24 years and 35 days old, Bieber becomes the youngest Indians starting pitcher to earn an All-Star nod since CC Sabathia in 2004. While he was the team’s fifth starter coming out of Spring Training entering his second season in the big leagues, he quickly became the rock of a staff that’s had to battle through injuries to three members of its five-man rotation.

In 18 games (17 starts) entering Friday, he’s gone 7-3 with a 3.54 ERA in 104 1/3 innings, and he'll make his final start of the first half of the season on Saturday in Cincinnati. At the time he was named to his first All-Star roster on Friday, the righty ranked fourth among American League pitchers in strikeouts per nine innings (11.5), fifth in opponents’ on-base percentage (.268), sixth in strikeouts (133), seventh in walks per nine (2.0) and ninth in opponents’ batting average (.219).

When the Indians got back to the clubhouse after Sunday’s game, they grabbed anything in sight to douse their All-Stars to celebrate the news. But as Lindor wiped the milk out of his hair and eyes, he said the locker-room party was solely for Santana, who earned his first All-Star appearance.

“Santana’s the man around here,” Lindor said.

“We threw whatever we could find on top of him,” outfielder Oscar Mercado said. “It’s awesome. He deserves it. He’s been amazing all year. He’s been a godsend. I’ve said it before, I don’t think there’s anyone more deserving to represent the All-Star Game at first base than him.”