HOUSTON -- Jed Lowrie, an 11-year veteran excelling in his age-34 season, is a first-time All-Star.
The A's second baseman was added to the American League roster as a replacement for injured Yankees rookie Gleyber Torres on Tuesday, giving Oakland closer Blake Treinen some company in Washington, D.C. next week at the All-Star Game presented by Mastercard on Tuesday, July 17, at 4:30 p.m. PT on FOX.
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"That was a very rewarding phone call I got to make today, because we all know he should have been on the team," A's manager Bob Melvin said, "and he was having a tough time with it, as well."
"Let's just say the last few days have been an emotional roller coaster," Lowrie said.
Just 24 hours prior, Lowrie was addressing reporters about being left off the AL squad, emoting surprise and disappointment. Justice was soon his. Melvin phoned him at his home in Houston on Tuesday morning, allowing him to share the moment with his wife, Milessa, and two children, Saige and Miles.
He's the first A's middle infielder to earn an All-Star nod since Miguel Tejada in 2002.

"Oh gosh, it's great," Treinen said. "It's incredible that it took that long. It's not just his numbers, but it's when those numbers have come. Late in the game when we need an RBI or a momentum change, he's driving runs in or getting a big hit for us. He's truly the MVP of this team. You could make an argument, if you want to say who the most valuable player in the league is on a team, that makes the most impact on a team, he's got to be up there. He's meant a lot to us, and it's just nice he's getting rewarded in the right way."
Plagued by injuries for much of his career, Lowrie enjoyed a career year in 2017, prompting the A's to keep him for themselves rather than entertaining a trade. Now, he's besting it. Lowrie carried a .288 average into Tuesday's matchup against the Astros, and he's already matched his career high with 16 homers. His 62 RBIs are tied for second most in the AL, as are his game-winning RBIs (12).
A cog in so many comebacks, Lowrie's efforts have fueled the surging A's, who entered Tuesday having won 17 of their previous 21 games to climb into the AL Wild Card race. He's hitting .342 with runners in scoring position -- and .429 with two outs in such situations.
"He's playing his best baseball," Melvin said. "Last year was probably his best year, this year even better, so it's a credit to him, the condition he keeps himself in, certainly a smart guy and has a great understanding each and every year how to get better, what his strengths and weaknesses are, how he's going to be pitched. It's fun to watch, and he's a great resource for our younger guys, too."
"I think any All-Star Game would have a lot of meaning, but I think for the first time as a 34-year-old it's pretty special," Lowrie said. "I put a lot of time and effort into my craft, and I've said this a lot, but going to an All-Star Game would kind of be the icing on the cake, and it looks like I get to eat some icing on my cake."

• LISTEN: Morning Lineup Podcast on Lowrie being added to All-Star team
Worth Noting
• Right-hander Frankie Montas, who provided six shutout innings in Monday's win in Houston, was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday, but it was only because he won't be needed until after the All-Star break. The A's plan to reinstate Trevor Cahill from the disabled list to start Thursday's series finale against the Astros, leaving Edwin Jackson, Brett Anderson and Sean Manaea to face the Giants in a three-game road set this weekend to cap the first half.
Reliever Ryan Dull was recalled to take Montas' roster spot.