Salvador Perez to start All-Star Game, Holland, Gordon also named to team

Salvador Perez has been selected to start for the American League for the 2014 All-Star Game in Minnesota. Perez, named to the second All-Star Game of his career, was named to replace Orioles catcher Matt Wieters, who was the leading vote-getter at the position, but is unable to play due to injury. Perez led all American League catchers in WAR with 3.2 and is hitting .289/.337/.449 with 10 HR 29 RBI for the Royals. Perez singled and scored in a run in the 2013 contest in CitiField in New York. Salvador is the first Royals player to start an All-Star Game since Jermaine Dye in 2000.

Greg Holland will make his second consecutive All-Star appearance, after being named as a reserve by Boston manager John Farrell. Holland is second in the league in saves, and is 23-for-24 in save conversions this year. The 28-year-old is fifth in the league in strikeouts per nine innings and carries a 1.93 ERA for the Royals. Holland faced just two hitters in last year's contest, inducing a ground-out and allowing a hit

Alex Gordon was also named as a reserve for the American League, his second consecutive appearance as well. Gordon is third among all league outfielders in WAR at 3.7, although much of that rests on his defense. A recent slump has brought his overall season totals to .263/.346/.422 with 9 HR 42 RBI. Alex flied out in his only plate appearance last year.

Left off the roster was shortstop Alcides Escobar, who is third among league shortstops in WAR, and is fourth in the league in doubles and stolen bases, and Wade Davis, who is third in the league in strikeouts per nine innings.

The MLB All-Star Game is July 15 at Target Field in Minneapolis.

Complete rosters are available here.