Erick Aybar named to American League All-Star team

American League All-Star manager John Farrell of the Boston Red Sox announced today, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, that Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim shortstop Erick Aybar will replace outfielder Alex Gordon of the Kansas City Royals on the A.L.'s active roster for the 85th All-Star Game.

Gordon (.268, 9 HR, 44 RBI, 24 2B, 47 R) was elected an American League All-Star by his fellow A.L. players. The defensive standout, who was named to the Midsummer Classic for the second straight season, will be inactive in the All-Star Game but is invited to the Twin Cities with full All-Star honors. Aybar, 30, will make his debut in the Midsummer Classic in his ninth Major League season. The switch-hitting shortstop is batting .283 on the season with six home runs, 45 RBI, 46 runs, 11 stolen bases and 22 doubles. The Dominican Republic native joins Angels teammate Mike Trout on the A.L.'s active roster and he will be the third A.L. shortstop on the team, along with 14-time All-Star Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees and fellow first-time All-Star Alexei Ramirez of the Chicago White Sox.

The 2014 All-Star Game will be played at Target Field on Tuesday, July 15th. The 85th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network, MLB.com and Sirius XM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.