Why A-Rod, Jeter, and others won't play in MLB All-Star Game

A-Rod had surgery on Monday. Derek Jeter just came back from a stint on the disabled list. Jeter and A-Rod are among several MLB stars who will miss Tuesday night's Midsummer Classic.

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez throws out Cleveland Indians' Carlos Santana at first base in the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 5, in Cleveland. A-Rod will miss Tuesday night's All-Star Game in Phoenix, due to a knee injury.

Tony Dejak/AP

July 12, 2011

It's that time of year where Major League Baseball's best gather to celebrate at the All-Star Game, which will be played Tuesday night in Phoenix.

But several stars elected by fans, coaches, and players won't be participating, due to injury or illness.

Two Yankee stars, Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, for example, will not be at Chase Field, home of the Diamondbacks. A-Rod underwent surgery Monday in Miami to correct a knee injury.

Jeter, who just became the 28th player in major league history to collect 3,000 hits, opted to stay away from the Midsummer Classic, having recently come off the disabled list.

Other stars who made the All-Star roster but will not play include Jose Reyes of the New York Mets, Philadelphia's Shane Victorino, and pitchers Jon Lester of the Red Sox and the Yankees' Mariano Rivera.

However, there will still be plenty of star power on the field in Phoenix for both leagues. Jered Weaver of the Angels will start on the mound for the American League while Roy Halladay of the Phillies goes for the National League.

The 82nd annual Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be televised on Fox, beginning at 8 p.m., ET Tuesday.