Angels’ Erick Aybar added to All-Star team; Garrett Richards is not

It was a mixed bag of All-Star news for the Angels on Thursday. Right-hander Garrett Richards lost out to Chicago White Sox left-hander Chris Sale in the “final five” fan vote, but shortstop Erick Aybar was added to the American League team as a replacement for Kansas City left fielder Alex Gordon.

“Everybody is happy for Erick,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “We felt from the beginning he should have been an All-Star. We were disappointed he wasn’t selected, but we’re happy about it now.”

Aybar entered Thursday night’s game against the Texas Rangers with a .283 average, six home runs, 45 runs batted in — most among AL shortstops — and 46 runs, and he is having an outstanding season defensively, making numerous superb plays and committing only five errors in 88 games.

“It feels good,” Aybar, 30, said of his first All-Star selection. Aybar is the first Angels shortstop to make the All-Star team since Gary DiSarcina in 1995.

Richards is 10-2 with a 2.71 earned run average in 18 starts, striking out 119 in 116 1/3 innings and holding hitters to a league-low .196 average, but unless another AL pitcher bows out of the game, he will not be going to Minnesota next week.

“If you look at the numbers, I’ve had a good half of baseball,” Richards said. “It’s a little disappointing, but ill have to do better next year.”

“We’re disappointed,” Scioscia said. “In our mind, Garrett is an All-Star. He’s had an incredible season. We know the selection process isn’t perfect. It’s a tribute for him to be selected for the final five vote, but naturally, we’re disappointed.”

Center fielder Mike Trout was elected as an AL starter for next Tuesday night’s game at Target Field.