Kinsler takes V-Mart's spot on ASG roster

KANSAS CITY -- Major League Baseball announced on Friday that second baseman Ian Kinsler will replace teammate Victor Martinez on the American League's All-Star roster.

"I'm excited about it. It's always fun to be part of something like that and being among the best players in the game," said Kinsler, who was informed of the news during batting practice by manager Brad Ausmus and general manager Dave Dombrowski.

Martinez, who was selected as a reserve, has missed the last six games with a sore right side.

The original omission of Kinsler was viewed as somewhat of a snub, as he's posted a .305 batting average and 3.6 WAR in the first half, good for fifth in the AL among position players according to FanGraphs.com.

"Second base was kind of a crowded spot. If you look at his numbers, we know what he does day after day. A lot of people don't know that, so I'm happy for [Kinsler], and he's happy, too," said bench coach Gene Lamont, filling in as manager for an ill Ausmus in the Tigers' 2-1 win on Friday.

This will be Kinsler's fourth year as an All-Star in his nine seasons in the Major Leagues.