Yasiel Puig critics can relax.
The 22-year-old Los Angeles Dodgers rookie did not earn the fans' online vote for the final National League All-Star roster spot, according to several media reports. The honor went to Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman.
Puig had played in just 35 games with the Dodgers, entering Thursday night's home against the Colorado Rockies. His averaged finally dipped below .400 after going 1-for-7 during the Dodgers' 14-inning victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night.
Puig is hitting .396 with eight home runs and 19 RBIs for the surging Dodgers, who have won 15 of 18 to get to .500 after Wednesday's game for the first time since April 30.
Freeman is batting .307 with nine home runs and 56 RBIs entering the Braves' Thursday night game against the Cincinnati Reds. Freeman has played in 78 games.
Puig still has a chance to earn a spot on the NL roster for the July 16 game as an injury replacement player. According to the Los Angeles Times, four of the five Final Vote players made the team as injury replacements in 2012.
According to Puig's critics, such as Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon, the rookie simply has not played enough games to merit All-Star consideration.
San Francisco outfielder Hunter Pence, Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond and Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez were also on the ballot. According to the Times, MLB has not announced the number of votes received by each player.
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Steve Delabar earned the fans Final Vote nod for the American League roster spot. Delabar is 5-1 this season with the Blue Jays and has a 1.74 earned-run average and 57 strikeouts. The right-hander is making his first All-Star appearance during his second year in the majors (he did play in six games in 2011).
Delabar beat out New York Yankees reliever David Robertson, Detroit Tigers closer Joaquin Benoit, Boston Red Sox closer Koji Uehara and Texas Rangers reliever Tanner Scheppers.
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