Missing All-Stars would make great team

PHOENIX - You could build a pretty good All-Star team of players who aren't at Chase Field this week. But because of injuries, baseball's rules or poor seasons, many will be home watching the game.

Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Albert Pujols, Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, CC Sabathia, Justin Verlander, James Shields, Felix Hernandez, Mariano Rivera, Carlos Gonzalez and Ryan Howard are some of the more noticeable names missing from the event for various reasons.

A debate broke out at the Biltmore Hotel on Monday about some players, Jeter in particular, who opted not to come. Jeter reached the 3,000-hit milestone Saturday but recently came off the disabled list because of a strained calf and apparently wanted the time off.

"Yeah, I think it's too bad that Jeter in particular is not here, because of what he accomplished over the weekend," said Bill Giles, Phillies chairman and honorary NL president. "And I think it is a bit of a problem and baseball should study it."

A rule prohibits pitchers who started Sunday from playing in the game. That knocked several pitchers out of eligibility. It's a rule in place to protect the pitchers.

Verlander threw 119 pitches on a warm afternoon in Kansas City on Sunday and said he thinks it's a good rule.

"This is a way to keep people off the hook," Verlander said. "Teams won't have to worry about us trying to do too much and get hurt."

"The bullpen is a little different than an All-Star Game," he said.

Someone then pointed out that if the National League won the All-Star Game -- and gained home-field advantage in the World Series -- he would feel bad about not pitching in the game.

"If you put it that way, yeah I would," he said.

Indians reliever Chris Perez said he believes anyone voted to the team should appear at the event even if they are hurt and can only wave to fans. And he feels the Sunday rule doesn't make sense.

"If you're good enough to throw your side [session] on Tuesday," he said, "why not throw an inning [in the game]?"

"He has his reasons," Perez said. "He's always been a stand-up guy and class act."

White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko added: "Cut him some slack. No one who has come back from an injury in the middle of a season is 100 percent. He is playing with it, I guarantee you that."

Pujols recovered from a broken wrist and, at the last minute, let it be known that he was willing to play Tuesday. But the NL roster had been finalized.

TwitterFestMichael Cuddyer was one of several players who tweeted from in front of the dugout during the Home Run Derby on Monday. Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson and others had computers on the field, expressing themselves 140 characters at a time.