NEW YORK – Oakland closer Grant Balfour was one of seven players added to the All-Star Game rosters Sunday, making him the eighth former Twins player to be part of Tuesday's showcase.

Balfour is replacing teammate Bartolo Colon, who started Sunday and was the only other All-Star selection for the first-place Athletics. Under baseball's labor contract, pitchers who start on the Sunday before the All-Star Game may opt not to participate.

Balfour, 35, began his career with the Twins and is in his third season with Oakland.

Baltimore starter Chris Tillman, and Kansas City closer Greg Holland were also chosen to replace Detroit ace Justin Verlander and Seattle's Hisashi Iwakuma. Both started Sunday.

Pittsburgh pitcher Mark Melancon was also picked as a replacement, giving the Pirates five players in the game for the first time since 1972. Also added were San Francisco closer Sergio Romo, Atlanta catcher Brian McCann and St. Louis closer Edward Mujica.

They will replace Pittsburgh's Jeff Locke, Washington's Jordan Zimmermann and Atlanta's Freddie Freeman, who are injured, and Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright, who started Sunday night.

ASSOCIATED PRESS