Floyd Is Heading to Seattle After All

Cliff Floyd and Mike Cameron joined the party Sunday, adding even more spice to an All-Star game with a distinct Seattle flavor.

Floyd, the Florida Marlin outfielder who has been feuding with National League Manager Bobby Valentine, replaced New York Met pitcher Rick Reed, who has a sore neck and back.

Cameron, the Mariners’ center fielder, replaced the Tampa Bay Devil Rays’ Greg Vaughn (strained right hamstring), giving the host Mariners eight players for Tuesday night’s game, the most for one team since the Pittsburgh Pirates had eight in 1960.

Floyd had said he was so certain he was on the team after talking with Valentine by telephone Tuesday that he purchased $16,000 worth of plane tickets for family and friends. The following day, Valentine left him off the original list of reserves.

Floyd learned he had been added to the team after Florida’s 6-1 victory over Tampa Bay. He said he regretted an injury created the opening, but that he was grateful to be named.

“I pray for nobody to get hurt, but maybe it was meant to be. I’m definitely going to enjoy it,” said Floyd, who receives a $10,000 bonus because of his addition to the team. “All the stuff is behind us. I’m going to have a blast. It’s a good ending to a bad beginning.”

A sore elbow will not keep the Colorado Rockies’ Larry Walker from playing in his fifth All-Star game. In fact, the outfielder expects to be in the starting lineup as the designated hitter. An MRI exam on Walker’s inflamed right elbow showed only swelling.