Weaver could take CC's All-Star spot

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It looks like Jered Weaver will be an All-Star after all.

Manager Joe Girardi said Tuesday that Weaver would be next in line to replace CC Sabathia on the American League roster. Weaver's appointment would be largely ceremonial since he, like Sabathia, is scheduled to pitch on Sunday. A new rule makes pitchers who work the final game before the break ineligible to be on the active roster of an All-Star squad.

Angels spokesman Tim Mead said Weaver is not officially on the AL roster, but could be by Sunday.

"That's a very strong possibility, based on merit ... You just can't put the cart before the horse based on the rules," Mead said.

Weaver and Oakland All-Star Trevor Cahill are scheduled to face each other Sunday, so Girardi still could need two replacements after that game begins -- barring a postponement or a scratch.

Several Angels players had expressed disappointment that Weaver wasn't picked for the team despite leading the majors in strikeouts and ranking near the top of the AL in several statistical categories, including ERA (2.97) and WHIP (1.07).

"In my opinion, he should be up for starting the thing," Angels reliever Scot Shields said Tuesday.

Weaver, a first-time All-Star, will earn a $50,000 bonus for making the team. The game will be played Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. Torii Hunter is the Angels' only other All-Star.

Mark Saxon covers the Angels for ESPNLosAngeles.com.

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Mark Saxon

ESPNLosAngeles.com

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Mark Saxon is a staff writer for ESPNLosAngeles.com. He spent six years at the Orange County Register, and began his career at the Oakland Tribune, where he started an 11-year journey covering Major League Baseball. He has also covered colleges, including USC football and UCLA basketball.