MLB

Jeter voted All-Star’s starting shortstop

MINNEAPOLIS — Derek Jeter is going to his 13th and final All-Star Game and will be joined by two rookie teammates in Dellin Betances and Masahiro Tanaka next Tuesday at Target Field.

Voted in as the AL starting shortstop Jeter, who was selected but did not play in 2011, was effusive in his praise for Tanaka and Betances.

“I am extremely happy for Tanaka and Dellin, too. They deserve it as much as anyone,’’ Jeter said of the rookie hurlers. “You can tell they were excited.’’

According to Jeter, who was limited to 17 games in 2013 due to lower leg problems, the luster of being an All-Star never fades. Nor is it something he takes lightly.

“It’s never a situation where I expect to go to the All-Star Game,’’ said Jeter, who went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs in Sunday’s 9-7 win over the Twins at Target Field, the site of the All-Star Game. He is hitting .273. “I have never taken it for granted and I have enjoyed each and every one of them.’’

For Betances, the journey from Grand Street Campus High School in Brooklyn to the All-Star Game is filled with starts and stops, detours and a feeling at this time last year his days in pinstripes were close to being over.

But a sensational first half in which he has fanned 78 batters in 50 ¹/₃ innings and has held hitters to a .129 average caught his peers’ attention and they voted him in.

“Joe [Girardi] called me into his office and I was at a loss for words,’’ Betances said. “I am truly blessed and honored. I am excited.’’

In recent weeks Betances, 26, couldn’t ignore the All-Star chatter, but he understood he wasn’t a starter or closer and that could hurt his chances.

“It’s so hard for a middle reliever to make an All-Star team,’’ said Betances, who signed in 2006 and until moving to the bullpen last year at Triple-A was troubled by a lack of control. “I didn’t know what to expect. It’s a crazy feeling.’’

Tanaka, whose 12 wins were tops among AL hurlers going into Sunday’s action and his 2.27 ERA second, handled the news the same way he does everything: calmly.

“Obviously, it’s an event not everyone can be part of,’’ said Tanaka who, since he will start next Sunday, won’t be able to pitch in the All-Star Game but said he will attend. “I am very excited to get the opportunity.’’