Giancarlo Stanton isn't just out of the 2012 MLB All-Star Game because of a knee injury that will require surgery; he's out of the Home Run Derby, too. The Marlins slugger will have surgery on Sunday that will keep him out of action for four to six weeks, and his place on Matt Kemp's NL Home Run Derby squad will be filled by Pirates star Andrew McCutchen.
For fans, not having Stanton socking dingers at Kauffman Stadium is a big loss. Few hitters have his power in the majors today, and he could have put on a real show in the Home Run Derby.
But McCutchen's inclusion is a victory for the Pirates, who are having a rare good season in no small part due to his contributions. McCutchen has 18 homers and leads the Pirates in every major hitting category, and will be the first Pittsburgh player to participate in the event since Barry Bonds in 1992.
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