SEATTLE -- Turns out Nelson Cruz won't be headed to Miami for the All-Star Game by himself, as Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano was added to the American League squad on Friday as an injury replacement for the Yankees' Starlin Castro.
"I got a call yesterday before the game and they said Castro was not going," Cano said. "That's not the way you want to be in it, with somebody else getting hurt. But it's part of the game and I'm happy to be going. This is one of the most exciting days you have as a player. Not everyone gets to go and your name says it. You're an All-Star."
Cruz and Cano -- Seattle's two biggest position stars -- will represent the Mariners at Tuesday's MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at 4:30 p.m. PT on FOX at Marlins Park. It will be the 10th time in club history that Seattle has had multiple position players selected for the Midsummer Classic, and the first time since 2014, when Cano and Kyle Seager were chosen.
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Cano will be making his eighth All-Star appearance, and his third with the Mariners. He's the seventh Mariner to earn at least three All-Star selections, joining Ken Griffey Jr. and Ichiro Suzuki (10 each), Edgar Martinez (seven), Felix Hernandez (six), Randy Johnson (five) and Alex Rodriguez (four).
Among this year's All-Stars, Cano is tied with Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina for the most career appearances.
"That means a lot," Cano said. "You look back as a young kid at how hard you worked. Eight All-Star games now, it makes you want to work even harder. It shows how much work I put in, not just during the season but during the offseason, too. Not many people have eight All-Stars, so to be able to stay healthy and do that means a lot."
Cano wasn't initially selected to the AL squad, but his numbers are certainly deserving, as he's put up a .279/.335/.489 line with 17 home runs and 60 RBIs in 76 games. He entered Friday tied for fourth in the AL in RBIs, tied for 14th in home runs, tied for 21st in hits and 24th in slugging percentage, despite spending two weeks on the disabled list.
Cano was added because he was the next player behind Castro in voting on the AL players balloting among second basemen. Jose Altuve of the Astros will be the AL's starting second baseman.
"I'm happy for him," Mariners manager Scott Servais said. "I thought he was very deserving. Sometimes injuries happen and spots open up. I'm glad he was chosen. I think he's certainly had a good first half, His numbers are certainly worthy of him being there. And it means a lot to him. All players, not just him, it means a lot to be with the elite guys in the game and he's certainly one of them."
The 34-year-old Cano was also named to the AL team in 2006, '10-14 and '16, with the first five selections coming while he played for the Yankees.
He said his favorite All-Star memory was winning the Home Run Derby in 2011 when his dad, Jose Cano, pitched to him and he beat Adrian Gonzalez in the final round in Phoenix.
Cano won't be in the Derby this year, but he will take his place among the rest of the stars for the 88th annual game.
On Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. PT, tune in to the 2017 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard live on FOX, and during the game visit MLB.com to submit your choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2017 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote. The 88th All-Star Game, in Miami, will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB.com, MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.