Mauer, Beltre join banged-up All-Stars

ANAHEIM, Calif. — To heck with his banged-up shoulder, Joe Mauer is headed to the All-Star Game. Or rather, the All-Scar Game.

Atlanta rookie Jason Heyward became the latest guy to join the dropout list Sunday. NL manager Charlie Manuel wanted Billy Wagner as a replacement — no good, the Braves closer passed because of a sore ankle.

Boston third baseman Adrian Beltre could be the next one marked absent. He left Sunday's game at Toronto with a strained left hamstring.

"If I don't feel good, I won't play," Beltre said. "I don't want to screw up my season for a couple of at-bats in an exhibition game."

Mauer will play, although the Minnesota catcher and leading vote-getter sat out Sunday's game at Detroit after recently taking three foul tips off his right shoulder.

"Am I feeling great? No, and I could use a couple days off, but I'm able to go out there and play, so I'll be there," Mauer said Sunday.

The hurts, however, helped a few others to make the roster. So did some rules changes.

Oakland's Andrew Bailey and Detroit pitcher Justin Verlander were named to the AL pitching staff Sunday because of a new rule — pitchers who start on Sunday are ruled out for the showcase. So when CC Sabathia and Trevor Cahill threw Sunday, a couple of spots opened up and Verlander got one. Oakland's Andrew Bailey and the Angels' Jered Weaver were also added — though Weaver pitched Sunday, too.

"I absolutely want to go — the All-Star Game is the All-Star Game, no matter how you get there," Verlander said.

Sheppard, voice of Yankees, dies

NEW YORK — Longtime New York Yankees public address announcer Bob Sheppard died Sunday. He was 99.

Sheppard started with the Yankees in 1951. His impeccable introductions of stars from Joe DiMaggio to Derek Jeter earned him the nickname "The Voice of God."

Sheppard last worked at Yankee Stadium late in the 2007 season, when he became ill with a bronchial infection. His audio recording still is used to introduce Jeter before each at-bat at home by the Yankees captain.

"His voice, there was nobody better," Yankees catcher Jorge Posada said. "People looked forward to coming to Yankee Stadium to hear that voice. It's a sad day."

Notes

• Carlos Beltran, sidelined all season following knee surgery in January, is back with the Mets and will return to the lineup immediately after the All-Star break. Mets manager Jerry Manuel says Beltran will play center field and bat cleanup Thursday night in San Francisco.

• Former Astros star Jeff Bagwell has taken over as Houston's hitting coach after the team fired Sean Berry.