Sarasota's Ian Desmond Withdraws From All-Star Game

Sarasota High School graduate and Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond will not play in the MLB All-Star game due to an injury.

Desmond has a nagging left oblique strain that he played with for about a month, The Washington Post reports:

“It’s just tough,” Desmond said. “It’s not something you want to do, withdraw your name from the All-Star Game. As tough as it sounds, it’s harder to do, especially when you were selected by Tony La Russa personally. It’s just a hard decision to make, period.”

The 26-year-old was named to the National League All-Star team as a reserve on July 1 by La Russa. 

Atlanta Braves outfield Michael Bourn will replace Desmond, The Associated Press reports.

Also appearing in the All-Star Game will be St. Louis Cardinals pitching coach Derek Lilliquist. The 46-year-old is also a Sarasota High School graduate.

Part-time Sarasota resident Joey Votto, a first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds, was named a starter on the National League roster. Votto was born in Toronto but has made his off-season home in Sarasota when the Reds had hosted spring training in Sarasota. 

The All-Star Game is Tuesday, July 10, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.