Astros' Correa, Altuve opt out of All-Star Game
Houston Astros stars Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve won't take part in next week's All-Star festivities.
Correa, 26, said Thursday he made the "tough decision" in order to be with his wife, Danielle, as the couple is expecting their first child.
Carlos Correa (@TeamCJCorrea) doesn’t have any injury issues but won’t play in the All-Star Game for family reasons: “It’s a tough decision.People voted for me to be in it-want to see me play in it” Carlos’ wife is pregnant with their 1st child & wants to spend the time with her” pic.twitter.com/ezTk6Mv6Vo
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) July 8, 2021
Correa, who received his second-career All-Star nod, insisted he's not bowing out due to injury. The former AL Rookie of the Year is hitting .291/.390/.517 with 16 home runs and 52 RBIs over 81 games for the first-place Astros.
Altuve said he's skipping the Midsummer Classic because of a leg injury, adding he's "scared this could get worse."
Jose Altuve says his left leg injury will keep him out of the All-Star Game: “I’m really scared that this could get worse and worse and I don’t get to play the full second half.” pic.twitter.com/ItbG9D6QtT
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) July 8, 2021
The former AL MVP, who's been playing through the minor leg ailment, noted he needs the break and that he's "putting my team first," according to Mark Berman of Fox.
The 31-year-old is hitting .286/.370/.508 with 19 homers and four steals during a bounce-back campaign.
Both Altuve and Correa were chosen as finalists at their position but lost the starting nod via fan vote to Marcus Semien and Xander Bogaerts, respectively.
The Astros' All-Star Game contingent will now consist of at least outfielder Michael Brantley and reliever Ryan Pressly.