HOUSTON -- Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, nursing a swollen and bruised left hand following a hit by a pitch, opted Thursday to skip the All-Star Game presented by Mastercard.

Altuve, voted by fans as a starter on the American League team for the Midsummer Classic on Tuesday in Arlington, went to the ground after being struck by a 94.3 mph sinker from Twins pitcher Josh Winder on Friday in the eighth inning in Minneapolis. Altuve was removed from the game, and X-rays were negative. He has returned to Houston’s lineup but wants to rest the hand over the break.

“Obviously, we have a very important second half of the season that I really want to be healthy [for],” Altuve said. “Like I said two days ago, I’m proud and thankful with all the Houston Astros fans that voted, not only for me but also everybody on this team to make this dream possible. This is a huge big deal for us, and we’re really thankful.

“Unfortunately, I got hit in the hand and am playing through some stuff. So I really want to take these days and be ready for the second half.”

Altuve, selected to his ninth All-Star Game, hasn’t played in the game since 2018. He was previously named an All-Star in 2012, ’14-18 and ’21-22. This year, he topped the Rangers’ Marcus Semien in the fan vote.

Astros manager Joe Espada said he respects Altuve’s decision.

“Jose is an All-Star,” Espada said. “He’s earned the right to be an All-Star; he’s earned the right to make his own decisions. He chose to let his hand heal, but I would not try to convince a player not to go to the All-Star Game. Being an All-Star is a huge accomplishment.”

Minnesota’s Willi Castro was named as a replacement for Altuve for first career All-Star honor. Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker, who was elected by the players as a reserve, will skip the game because of a shin contusion, leaving Yordan Alvarez -- the leading vote-getting at DH in the AL -- as the team’s lone player in the All-Star Game.

Alvarez couldn’t play in the previous two All-Star Games because of injuries but plans to play on Tuesday despite not being in the starting lineup on Thursday against the Marlins with right hip tightness.