"Billy Wagner was invited as a late addition to the National League All-Star team, but the Braves closer declined in order to rest his sore left ankle during the three-day break.

The 38-year-old left-hander will officially be credited for his seventh All-Star appearance, but will not travel to Anaheim with the Braves' five other All-Stars for festivities surrounding Tuesday's game.

"It's a great honor any time, but I need to be ready to finish this season and get in the playoffs," Wagner said. "I don't need to worry about pitching in the All-Star game."

It didn't help that a baseball official waiting until close to midnight Saturday to call Wagner, who had already made plans to be with his family during the break and didn't want to change everything at the last minute to get across the country to Anaheim.

Wagner has converted 20 of 23 saves and led NL closers with a 1.21 ERA and .156 opponents' average. He has 56 strikeouts in 37-1/3 innings, the league's second-highest rate per nine innings.

Another of the Braves' league-high six All-Stars, rookie right fielder Jason Heyward, will also miss the All-Star game while continuing his recovery from a thumb injury that's kept him out of the lineup since June 26."