SPORTS

Mookie Betts to start All-Star Game in place of Mike Trout

Tim Britton
tbritton@providencejournal.com
Mookie Betts, right, is congratulated by Deven Marrero as he crosses home plate after hitting a two-run homer in the sixth inning on Sunday.

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Red Sox will have a position player starting in the All-Star Game after all. With Mike Trout unable to play due to injury, he will be replaced by the man who finished second to him in last year's MVP balloting: Mookie Betts.

Betts replaces Trout by virtue of receiving the most player votes among non-starters in the outfield.

It marks the second straight year Betts will start for the A.L. in the All-Star Game. It remains to be seen which position Betts mans in the outfield, next to New York's Aaron Judge and Houston's George Springer.

Betts was also named the American League's Player of the Week for the second time this season, following his eight-RBI barrage on Sunday.

"He gets on these hot streaks where seemingly there's a lot of damage to the swing," manager John Farrell said. "The one thing that has always stood out about Mookie's approach to the game is not only a genuine humility, but an aptitude that is second to none. He is not afraid to expose himself in terms of not knowing everything and will ask great questions. But the aptitude to apply it quickly, that’s what sets him apart."

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