Injuries Sideline Lofton, Hundley

Injuries continue to affect the National League All-Star team as players are being shuffled on and off the roster.

The most recent casualties are Atlanta outfielder Kenny Lofton and New York Met catcher Todd Hundley.

Lofton, traded by the Cleveland Indians to Atlanta during spring training, will not play in the All-Star game at Cleveland on Tuesday because of a groin injury.

“He can’t go today,” Atlanta Manager Bobby Cox said Sunday before the Braves’ game against the Montreal Expos. “He’s not going to play in the All-Star game, either. He’s just not well enough.”

San Diego Padre outfielder Steve Finley was picked to replace Lofton on the NL roster, but Cox, who will manage the NL All-Stars, has not named his replacement in the starting lineup.

Lofton was activated from the disabled list Saturday. He started for the first time in 17 games since pulling a left groin muscle June 17 at Toronto.

“I’m going to Cleveland, I’m going to the game,” said Lofton, who was placed on the disabled list June 23. “It’s no big deal if I don’t play.”

Lofton, voted a starter by fans, was to make his first appearance at Jacobs Field since being traded by the Indians to Atlanta on March 25.

Hundley, who was selected as an All-Star reserve, has decided not to play in order to rest the stretched ligament in his right elbow. Florida catcher Charles Johnson will replace him.

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St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Donovan Osborne, out more than two months because of a torn groin muscle, begins a rehabilitation assignment with triple-A Louisville today. Osborne, who signed a three-year, $12.75 million deal in the off-season, hasn’t pitched since May 2.