Koji Uehara named to American League All-Star team

Red Sox closer Koji Uehara will replace Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka American League All-Star manager John Farrell of the Boston Red Sox announced today, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, that Red Sox reliever Koji Uehara will replace Masahiro Tanaka of the New York Yankees on the A.L.'s active roster for the 85th All-Star Game.

Tanaka (12-4, 2.51 ERA, 129.1 IP, 111 H, 19 BB, 135 SO), elected an American League All-Star by his fellow A.L. players in his first season in Major League Baseball, was placed on the 15-day disabled list today with right elbow inflammation. Uehara, 39, will make his debut in the Midsummer Classic in his sixth Major League season. He was an eight-time Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) All-Star. The right-hander has appeared in 40 games this season, posting a 4-2 record, 18 saves and a 1.30 ERA. He has allowed only 25 hits in 41.2 innings, striking out 52 batters compared to just six walks. The 2013 ALCS Most Valuable Player was a key to Boston's 2013 World Series Championship, converting all seven of his save opportunities in the Postseason. In the 2013 regular season, he fashioned a 1.09 ERA, a 0.57 WHIP and only 33 hits allowed in 74.1 innings, fanning 101. Uehara will join teammate Jon Lester in the Twin Cities for the 2014 Midsummer Classic.

The 2014 All-Star Game will be played at Target Field on Tuesday, July 15th. The 85th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network, MLB.com and Sirius XM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.

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