Brett Gardner to Replace Alex Gordon on AL Roster for 2015 MLB All-Star Game

Major League Baseball announced on Thursday that New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner will replace Alex Gordon of the Kansas City Royals on the American League roster for the 2015 All-Star Game. Gordon is currently sidelined with a groin injury he suffered Wednesday.

Adam Jones of the Baltimore Orioles will step into the starting lineup for Gordon as the next-highest vote-getter during player voting, per Grace Raynor and Paul Hagen of MLB.com. Gardner joins the roster as a reserve for AL manager Ned Yost.

Gordon, who was one of four Royals voted in as starters thanks to a strong effort from the Kansas City fanbase, got hurt while chasing down a ball in Wednesday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. The three-time All-Star sports a .394 on-base percentage with 11 homers at the break.

Gardner was part of the five-player race for the final roster spot in the AL, which is also determined by fan vote. The last update had him in fourth place, with the Royals' Mike Moustakas leading the way, but the Yankees star will make the trip to Cincinnati anyway.      

This marks Gardner's first All-Star selection in his eighth season. The speedy, versatile outfielder entered Thursday hitting .298 with 15 stolen bases and nine home runs.

He was a worthy choice for the game that decides home-field advantage in the World Series. Since it was becoming clear he wouldn't win the Final Vote, MLB made the right call to have him take Gordon's spot on the squad instead.

Gardner's ability to impact the game in multiple ways gives Yost several options when it comes to working him into the Midsummer Classic. He could use him as a pinch hitter, pinch runner or even a defensive replacement, another solid facet of Gardner's game.

It's always an advantage to have a versatile player like that available for the late innings.