Rodney added to American League All-Star team

Seattle closer Fernando Rodney has been added to the American League All-Star team as an injury replacement for Tampa Bay’s David Price. All-Star manager John Farrell of the Boston Red Sox made the announcement Saturday, giving Rodney his second All-Star berth and the Mariners four representative in Tuesday’s game at Target Field in Minneapolis.

Rodney will join RHP Felix Hernandez, second baseman Robinson Cano and third baseman Kyle Seager, who earlier this week was selected to replace Toronto’s Edwin Encarnacion, who went on the disabled list.

This is the first time that Seattle has four or more All-Stars since 2003, when Ichiro, Edgar Martinez, Jamie Moyer, Shigetoshi Hasegawa and Bret Boone represented the club.

In his first year with the Mariners, Rodney has an AL-high 27 saves in 29 opportunities. He struck out 42 batters in 36.1 innings. Rodney pitched Friday night, earning a save in Seattle’s 3-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics at Safeco Field. Rodney is one save away from notching the 200th of his major league career.

The Mariners continued their three-game series with Oakland Saturday night. RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (7-4, 3.07) started opposite RHP Jesse Chavez (7-5, 3.06). The Mariners (50-43) end the first half Sunday.