Giambi named replacement for Sweeney

ATLANTA (SI.com) -- Kansas City Royals first baseman Mike Sweeney will skip the All-Star Game next Tuesday because of nerve irritation in his neck and back.

New York Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi will take Sweeney's place on the American League roster and will make his fourth consecutive All-Star appearance.

"I feel sorry for Mike, because he's a real good friend of mine," Giambi said. "But I'm definitely excited to go."

Sweeney has been on the disabled list since June 19 and is hoping to return to the Kansas City lineup after the All-Star break. He will still attend the festivities in Chicago.

This would have been Sweeney's fourth All-Star appearance. He is hitting .321 with 12 homers and 50 runs batted in this season.

For Giambi, this will be his fourth consecutive All-Star appearance, having started the games in 2000 and 2002. Giambi got his first All-Star hit last season in Milwaukee, going 1-for-2. Yankees manager Joe Torre informed Giambi of the news before Wednesday's 6-2 win over Cleveland.

After a slow start, Giambi is second in the league with 23 homers. He also has 65 RBIs.

The Player of the Month for June is also expected to participate in the Home Run Derby, which he won last year in Milwaukee.

 

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