Sunday update: Mauer, Morneau and Nathan named to All-Star team
Posted on July 5th, 2009 – 10:17 AMBy Joe Christensen
The All-Star teams will be announced today at noon on TBS, and we’ll have the update here soon after.
I’m moving forward under the assumption that Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan are making it. All three are deserving again.
On his weekly radio show on KSTP AM-1500, Manager Ron Gardenhire spoke of getting R.A. Dickey back into a long-relief role and gave today’s tentative lineup.
Updates as they come…
Update: Gardenhire hinted that the starting rotation could get juggled, using Monday’s off day to realign the pitchers heading into upcoming series against the Yankees and White Sox.
For now, Scott Baker, Glen Perkins and Anthony Swarzak (corrected) are scheduled to face the Yankees this week.
Update: The Twins announced that they’ve signed sandwich pick Matthew Bashore (No. 46 overall), a pitcher from Indiana University. He’s heading to Elizabethton.
Update: As expected Joe Mauer was named the starting catcher for the AL All-Star team. It is his third selection. He also started last season.
The reserves have not been named yet.
Mauer was the AL’s second leading vote getter, behind Derek Jeter.
The AL starters: C Mauer, 1B Mark Teixeira, 2B Dustin Pedroia, 3B: Evan Longoria, SS Derek Jeter, OF Jason Bay, OF Ichiro Suzuki, OF Josh Hamilton.
The NL starters: C Yadier Molina, 1B Albert Pujols, 2B Chase Utley, 3B: David Wright, SS: Hanley Ramirez, OF Ryan Braun, OF Raul Ibanez, OF Carlos Beltran.
Update: Gardenhire said the team likely will stick with 11 pitchers, partly because they don’t have anybody exactly knocking on the door at Class AAA Rochester. He mentioned RHPs Juan Morillo and Rob Delaney as the two who are throwing the best.
Update: Joe Nathan was named to the AL All-Star team. Still waiting on AL position reserves.
Update: Justin Morneau was named, as well. This is the fourth All-Star selection for Nathan, and the third for Mauer and Morneau.
Update: Morneau also received the third most votes among AL players in the Home Run Derby poll, behind Evan Longoria and Josh Hamilton. Morneau defeated Hamilton for last year’s Home Run Derby crown.
TIGERS (44-36)
1. Curtis Granderson, CF
2. Ramon Santiago, 2B
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
4. Don Kelly, LF
5. Brandon Inge, 3B
6. Magglio Ordonez, DH
7. Josh Anderson, RF
8. Gerald Laird, C
9. Adam Everett, SS
Starting pitcher: RH Rick Porcello (8-5, 3.90 ERA)
TWINS (42-40)
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Brendan Harris, SS
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Jason Kubel, DH
6. Michael Cuddyer, RF
7. Joe Crede, 3B
8. Delmon Young, LF
9. Nick Punto, 2B
Starting pitcher: RH Nick Blackburn (6-4, 3.10)
Metrodome. First pitch: 1:10 p.m.


