Because he is scheduled to start on Sunday against the D-backs, Giants ace Madison Bumgarner has opted out of Tuesday's All-Star Game presented by MasterCard because of what would be a short rest period.
Bumgarner has thrown 120 2/3 innings this year, just shy of his pre-All-Star-break career high of 127 before the All-Star break set in 2014. Anchoring the first-place Giants at 9-4 with a 2.09 ERA, this arguably has been Bumgarner's best showing before the break.
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Choosing to pitch on one day's rest in the Midsummer Classic is rare, though Randy Johnson started for the National League in the 2000 game in Atlanta on just one day's rest, but only tossed eight pitches in a scoreless inning.
Bumgarner, a three-time World Series champion, was named via player vote to his fourth straight All-Star Game. He will still be invited for full honors, if he chooses.
Ageless Mets veteran Bartolo Colon was named Bumgarner's replacement. Colon, 43, will making his first All-Star appearance for the National League and fourth overall in this, his 20th season. He is 7-4 with a 3.28 ERA over 18 outings, including 17 starts.