Angels pitchers Rodriguez, Santana and Saunders make All-Star team

All three of the Angels pitchers were voted into the July 15 game in Yankee Stadium by fellow players. As the home run derby champion in 2007, Guerrero has the option of going to New York to defend his title on July 14.

Santana and Saunders were expected to compete for the fifth spot in the rotation after the Angels acquired veteran right-hander Jon Garland from the White Sox in November.

But an injury to Kelvim Escobar, sidelined all season by a shoulder tear, assured both pitchers of making the opening-day rotation, and both have enjoyed breakout seasons.

Saunders, who shuttled between Anaheim and triple-A Salt Lake in 2006 and 2007, is 12-4 with a 3.04 earned run average in 17 starts and has held opponents to a .239 average. The left-hander is tied with Arizona's Brandon Webb for the major league lead in wins.

"You look at his record, what he's done, it's great to have him recognized," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "Through his experience, he's become comfortable with what he needs to do to get hitters out, and he's not afraid of contact."

Santana, who struggled so much in 2007, when he went 7-14 with a 5.76 ERA, that he was demoted to triple-A in July, is 9-3 with a 3.28 earned run average in 17 starts, striking out 106 and walking 30 in 115 1/3 innings and holding opponents to a .224 average.

"He's another example of a guy who has used his experience and understanding what he needs to do on the mound," Scioscia said. "He struggled last year, but the talent was there, and his mechanics came together."

Rodriguez, who has a 1.93 ERA in 40 games and has held opponents to a .171 average, is one of six closers on the AL squad -- the others are Mariano Rivera (Yankees), Jonathan Papelbon ( Red Sox), Joe Nathan (Twins), Joakim Soria (Royals) and George Sherrill (Orioles).

The right-hander's first appearance in Yankee Stadium came in the 2002 division series, when he was 20 and got his first post-season win.

"It was an unbelievable feeling," Rodriguez said. "I have so many memories of pitching there the first year I came up. And now, being able to go back there for the All-Star Game in the last year of Yankee Stadium, it's going to be a lot of fun."

Guerrero, who is batting .288 with 14 homers and 47 runs batted in, was not among the pool of five players that fans will get to choose from this week for the 32nd roster spot.

That group consists of outfielder Jermaine Dye (White Sox), first baseman Jason Giambi (Yankees), outfielder Jose Guillen (Royals), third baseman Evan Longoria (Rays) and second baseman Brian Roberts (Orioles).

mike.digiovanna@latimes