HOUSTON -- For the second year in a row, Astros second baseman Jose Altuve will sit out the All-Star Game. Altuve made the decision Saturday to skip Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic at Dodger Stadium after he was struck on the left knee by a pitch Thursday in Anaheim. 

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Altuve, who was elected to be the starter at second base for the American League, was in the lineup for the Astros on Saturday against the A’s at Minute Maid Park as the designated hitter. He said he won’t travel to Los Angeles for the game and will instead rest up for the second half of the season. Last year, Altuve was chosen as a reserve and opted to rest his legs. 

“It’s disappointing,” Altuve said. “We were ready to go out there. I wasn’t planning on getting hit, but when you go out there and play every day, this is the kind of thing that happens.”

Andrés Giménez of the Guardians will replace Altuve as the starter, with Blue Jays second baseman Santiago Espinal added to the AL roster.

Altuve was selected last week to his eighth All-Star Game -- the most of any Astro in franchise history -- and was hit on the knee by Angels left-hander Reid Detmers with the first pitch of Thursday’s 3-2 win in Anaheim. He sat out Friday’s series opener against the A’s and was cleared to play Saturday after taking part in pregame drills.

Still, Altuve said sitting out the All-Star Game is the best decision for him physically.

“We’re trying to finish the first half strong, but at the same time, don’t want to take any chances -- and be ready for the second half,” he said.

The Astros will be well-represented at the All-Star Game, with manager Dusty Baker and his coaching staff guiding the AL team. In addition to Altuve, the Astros had four other players make the All-Star team, but Yordan Alvarez (hand) is on the injured list and won’t play. Pitchers Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez and outfielder Kyle Tucker were also selected.