Nelson Gets All-Star Spot

New York Yankee Manager Joe Torre, criticized for picking seven of his players for the All-Star game, replaced one Saturday by announcing reliever Mariano Rivera would skip the game to rest an inflamed ankle.

Torre chose Seattle reliever Jeff Nelson to replace Rivera on the American League squad.

A year ago, Torre passed over Nelson--then a Yankee setup man--for the all-star team, causing a rift between them. Nelson signed as a free agent with the Mariners in the off-season.

There had been speculation that Torre might choose Nelson for Tuesday night’s game in Seattle, but the Yankee manager went for Rivera, who has two victories and 28 saves.

Nelson was angry about being passed over.

“Maybe this will motivate some guys who are upset. What we have to do is win the World Series, and then [Mariner Manager Lou Piniella] can take his guys next year,” Nelson said at the time.

The right-hander is 3-1 with a 2.29 earned-run average and four saves in 38 appearances. He has struck out 53 batters and given up only 15 hits in 35 1/3 innings.

Rivera was charged with a 3-0 loss against the Mets on Saturday and Torre announced his decision immediately after the game.

“It has nothing to do with [Saturday],” Torre said. “We began considering this two days ago. He [Rivera] has some inflammation in his right ankle. It comes and goes. Some days it’s worse than others.”

Figuring a few more boos from Seattle fans can’t hurt, Alex Rodriguez changed his mind and said he’ll hit in the all-star home derby Monday at Safeco Field.

Rodriguez, who left the Mariners in the off-season to become baseball’s highest-paid player with the Texas Rangers, said he changed his mind after talking with officials in the commissioner’s office.

“I know I’m going to take my abuse, but that’s fine,” he said. “I think it’ll be good for baseball and I’m going to try to go out and enjoy it.”

The Atlanta Braves put shortstop Rafael Furcal on the 15-day disabled list because of a dislocated left shoulder and recalled infielder Jesse Garcia from triple-A Richmond.

Furcal was injured Friday while stealing second base in Atlanta’s 6-5 victory over the Boston Red Sox in 10 innings. Furcal could be sidelined the rest of the season, team doctor Joe Chandler said.

Furcal, last season’s NL rookie of the year, was batting .275 with four home runs and 30 RBIs. He has with 22 stolen bases.

Adam Eaton, who leads the San Diego Padres’ pitching staff with eight victories, has a strained tendon in his right elbow and likely will be put on the 15-day disabled list after the all-star break. . . . Florida Marlin right-hander Brad Penny strained a muscle in his left rib cage and could be headed for the disabled list. Marlin Manager Tony Perez said Penny could be sidelined two or three weeks because of the injury. . . . The Boston Red Sox put pitcher Pete Schourek, who has inflammation in his left elbow, on the 15-day disabled list and purchased the contract of pitcher Carlos Castillo from triple-A Pawtucket. . . . . . . Reliever Dave Borkowski was put on the 15-day disabled list by the Detroit Tigers because of a strained right shoulder. Borkowski, 0-2 with a 6.37 ERA, has appeared in 15 games in relief since being called up from triple-A Toledo on May 17.