Ramirez Is Out of All-Star Game

Boston Red Sox left fielder Manny Ramirez, who has a sore left hamstring, will not play in the All-Star game Tuesday.

Ramirez was voted in by fans as an American League starter for the fifth year in a row. He has been named to the All-Star team seven times in all.

Chicago White Sox right fielder Magglio Ordonez was named as Ramirez’s replacement for the game at U.S. Cellular Field.

“It’s disappointing not to go to the All-Star game, but this is for the best,” Ramirez said in a statement before serving as designated hitter in Saturday’s game against the Detroit Tigers.

“My priority is to try to help the Red Sox, and I need to take care of this injury so it does not become something that will bother me for the rest of the season.”

*

Second baseman Marcus Giles of the Atlanta Braves was out of the lineup Saturday against the Chicago Cubs because of a concussion from colliding with Cub pitcher Mark Prior, and both might not play in the All-Star game.

They slammed into each other during Atlanta’s 9-5 victory Friday at Wrigley Field and Giles still had a headache Saturday. The Braves were planning to bring Dr. Joe Chandler of their medical staff to Chicago to examine Giles.

“If I’m not well enough to play in a regular-season game, where it matters, the All-Star game is just a bonus,” said Giles, who was chosen as the starting National League second baseman in fan voting.

Prior has a bruised right shoulder and was re-examined by a team doctor. He’ll be checked again today and his status for the All-Star game is questionable.

“We have a few days to decide that. I’m sure he wants to pitch in the All-Star game, and we want him to pitch, but the most important thing is he is available for the second half,” Cub and National League Manager Dusty Baker said.

*

The Cleveland Indians put outfielder Matt Lawton, who dislocated his right middle finger while taking a swing in the fourth inning of Friday night’s 12-5 win over the Chicago White Sox, on the 15-day disabled list.

After a slow start, Lawton is batting .313 with eight homers and 17 RBIs in his last 25 games. He is batting .248 with 15 homers and 47 RBIs overall.

Lawton, who will wear a splint for the next two weeks, is the third veteran Indian starter to be sidelined because of an injury. Ellis Burks (elbow) is out for the season, and shortstop Omar Vizquel (knee) might need season-ending surgery.