Hernandez, League named All-Stars

The Mariners placed pitchers Felix Hernandez and Brandon League on the American League All-Star team, but the omission of two others will no doubt stimulate conversation this week.

Hernandez made it for a second time, but he likely won't be able to pitch. He's scheduled to start Sunday in the last game before the break, and the rules prohibit those starters from appearing two days later as a precaution against arm injuries.

"Maybe he can go there and pitch for me," Hernandez joked, referring to right-handed rookie teammate Michael Pineda, who was snubbed despite a 7-5 record and 2.65 earned-run average, sixth best in the American League.

Also likely to sit home is Ichiro for the first time in his 11-year Mariners career. Hitting only .272 compared to his career average of .331 entering 2011, Ichiro was passed over by Texas manager Ron Washington for a reserve spot, so his only possible entry would be as an injury replacement.

"Ichiro's had a great career," said manager Eric Wedge. "He's worked hard this year, he's come to the ballpark every day prepared, which is all you can do.

"He's been better the last month, and hopefully he can be even more consistent in the second half for us."

Through his translator, Ichiro declined to comment.

Not only is Hernandez unlikely to pitch in the July 12 game, League might be a question mark as well. That's dependent on his wife, Sasha, who is pregnant and due July 13.

"I can't say I didn't think about it," said League, referring to his first-time selection, "but I've got other things on my mind right now. We went to the hospital two nights ago, and the doctor said, 'Any day.' "

League, who recorded his 22nd save Sunday, said there was no question he'd skip the All-Star Game if the impending birth conflicted with the trip.

"It wouldn't have been possible if Wedgie hadn't given me an opportunity to close and stuck with me," said League, who also credited his teammates and said, "If it wasn't me, it could have been anybody on this pitching staff."

Wedge lauded League for his rebound from a bad week in mid-May, saying, "You're not going to be perfect. What I like most about Leaguer is, he was able to stand up to it."

As for Hernandez, 25, Wedge said, "He's an impressive young man. He's got a great personality, he's a good teammate and he's a hard worker. He doesn't let his ego get in the way and he handles the good and bad like you'd like anybody to handle it."

Hernandez acknowledged inconsistency in his first half — his ERA is 3.35, compared to the 2.27 that won him the Cy Young Award last year, but added, "I just need to try to do what I did last year."

A year ago, Hernandez had a 1.53 ERA in 15 starts after the All-Star break, third lowest by an AL starter in the last 25 years over that period.

Wedge said he didn't want to get into specific snubs of his players. And as for the hard choices that had to be made by last year's World Series managers — Washington and San Francisco's Bruce Bochy — he quipped, "It's something I wouldn't mind having the burden of doing."

Notes

• The M's sent LF Mike Carp to Tacoma to make room for Sunday's starter, Blake Beavan.

• Wedge had a short pregame team meeting, partly as a mea culpa for not catching the three-ball walk to Cameron Maybin that scored the only run of the game Saturday night. "I preach being accountable, and that falls on me," Wedge confessed. "I'm the captain of the ship."

Bud Withers: 206-464-8281 or bwithers@seattletimes.com