"When the Major League All-Star rosters were released Sunday, Seattle starting pitcher Felix Hernandez and closer Brandon League were on the American League team. Outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, a 10-time All-Star, failed to make the team for the first time in his career.

The game will be played July 12 at Chase Field in Phoenix.

Hernandez found out he made the team Sunday morning when he received a congratulatory text message.

"I told my wife, I think we're going to Arizona," the 25-year-old said. "She was more excited than me."

Making his second All-Star Game appearance, Hernandez (8-7, 3.35 ERA) said he was looking forward to the home run derby - he's backing Toronto's Jose Bautista in the American League and Milwaukee's Prince Fielder in the National. That might be as close to the field as Hernandez will get.

The AL's reigning Cy Young winner is scheduled to pitch Sunday at the Los Angeles Angels and MLB rules prohibit using pitchers in the All-Star Game who start the Sunday prior to the contest.

Yet, Hernandez was hopeful he could find a way around the rule. He claimed he could throw one inning in Phoenix because he would be scheduled to throw a post-start bullpen session, anyway.

"It's my bullpen day," he explained, "I can pitch."

If he can't, Hernandez was hopeful teammate Michael Pineda could pitch in his place. Enjoying a fantastic rookie season, Pineda has a 7-5 record with a 2.65 ERA."