Brantley, Pressly won't attend All-Star Game

HOUSTON -- None of the four Astros players elected to participate in Tuesday’s All-Star Game will make the trip to Denver after closer Ryan Pressly and outfielder Michael Brantley both opted out Saturday. Astros shortstop Carlos Correa and second baseman Jose Altuve said Thursday they had decided not to attend.

• MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard: Tuesday on FOX

There’s still a chance the Astros could have a player named as a replacement, but none of the initial replacements named by Major League Baseball on Saturday were Astros.

Brantley has been dealing with soreness on his right side for the last three weeks and said he wants to use the All-Star break to rest up. Pressly said his wife, Kat, is expecting a baby in the coming days and has been told not to fly. He doesn’t want to risk being out of town when the boy is born.

“It’s a tough decision to make,” said Pressly, who was an All-Star previously in 2019. “I wish we could be there. It’s just one of those decisions where I have to fortunately put family first, and that’s my decision, and we’re just going to take these days. I want to be with her, by her side and go that route.”

Brantley, who has been named an All-Star four times previously, including 2019 with the Astros, said he came to the decision after talking with the medical staff and his family. He said the extra days of rest will help him be healthier in the second half.

“It’s very tough,” Brantley said. “It’s a tremendous honor. I’ve been very fortunate to make a few in the past, and I always enjoyed my time and experience there and meeting the guys. It’s stuff you dreamed about as a kid, that you watched on TV. I’m upset I’m going to miss it, but at the same time it’s the right decision for me and my family and this organization.”

Correa said he wanted to spend time with his pregnant wife, Daniella, who’s due in November, and Altuve said he had a leg injury. Both Brantley and Altuve were in the lineup Saturday, but an ill Correa will likely miss the entire Yankees series this weekend after being put on the injured list for health and safety protocols.

“I support my players,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said. “They’re not jiving as the reason why. It’s been a tough road here. ... They’re not 100 percent. I don’t have any adverse reaction.”

Tim Anderson of the White Sox and Whit Merrifield of the Royals replaced Correa and Altuve, who were elected by the players. Also named as replacements on Saturday were A’s pitcher Chris Bassitt and Rays shortstop Joey Wendle.