By Matt Snyder With the news Friday that elected AL All-Star starters Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter would not play in the All-Star Game, two spots opened up on the AL roster. They will be filled by Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis and Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta. As the line moves forward one spot at each position, Adrian Beltre is now starting at third and Asdrubal Cabrera will start at short.
Youkilis, 32, will be making his third appearance in the Midsummer Classic. He came into Friday night hitting .276 with 12 homers, 58 RBI and a .394 OBP.
Peralta, a nine-year veteran, will be playing in his first All-Star Game. He entered Friday hitting .310 with 14 homers and an .892 OPS.
Beltre will be playing in his second All-Star Game, but it will be his first start. He also played in the game last season but struck out in his only at-bat.
Finally, Cabrera should have been the starter anyway, if we were basing the vote on the 2011 season rather than career achievement or popularity. He's a wizard with the glove and is hitting .291 with 14 homers, 50 RBI, 55 runs and 12 steals.
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