KANSAS CITY — Derek Jeter said it’s great to be back.
Jeter, 38, took a controversial sabbatical from the All-Star Game last year in Phoenix, but will be back hitting leadoff for Ron Washington and the AL squad tonight at Kauffman Stadium. This marks his lucky 13th selection.
“It’s fun to be here, last year I was injured and I couldn’t come but I’m happy to be back and I’m looking forward to playing,’’ Jeter said.
Asked if he appreciated it even more as he gets closer to the end of his career, Jeter responded with a smile: “How close am I? I always enjoy it. I don’t ever come here and take anything for granted. I don’t try to predict how long I am going to play, I just enjoy each and every game.’’
GRADE THE YANKEES AT THE BREAK
Angels young outfielder Mike Trout was in the other corner of the room, talking about Jeter being his hero growing up in New Jersey. Jeter said of Trout, “He’s fun to watch, there’s a lot of different ways he can beat you. He beat us on the bases, he’s hitting for a high average, he’s hitting home runs, he’s pretty much done everything.’’
Washington said hitting Jeter leadoff in his lineup was “a slam dunk,” and added that he viewed Curtis Granderson, who will hit ninth, as the “second leadoff” hitter.
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David Wright was happy to be back at the All-Star Game after last year’s slide.
“It’s an incredible honor, especially after what I went through last season,” Wright said.
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CC Sabathia (groin) said he would throw a bullpen session today at Kauffman Stadium, as scheduled, before the All-Star Game. If that session goes well, he’ll throw a simulated game Friday, putting him on pace to make his return start July 17 against the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium.
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Phillies lefty Cole Hamels made it clear he intends to pursue free agency this winter. With Philadelphia residing in the NL East basement, Hamels could be dealt to another club by the July 31 non-waivers trading deadline.
The Phillies could offer Hamels a long-term extension before trading him, and an acquiring team could try to sign Hamels, as well, especially since the club wouldn’t receive compensatory draft picks if Hamels departed free agency. Yet neither scenario sounds likely.
“Every human being wants to know what their value is, whatever job they’re doing,” Hamels said. “To do it, I think it’s a pretty cool experience.” It can be higher than what you thought, or lower. And I’m willing to accept everything.’’
The Dodgers are expected to bid heavily for Hamels’ services.
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David Ortiz, asked if he thought his Red Sox, at 43-43, still had a chance to make the playoffs: “Oh, yeah. No question” … Giants catcher Buster Posey said he thinks he could make “the adjustments to catch [R.A.] Dickey, but I guess I won’t have to.’’ … Chipper Jones, in his last All-Star Game, suggested the NL should have been able to add Josh Thole to the roster to catch Dickey.