NEW YORK -- Cliff Floyd is a National League All-Star, after all. The Florida Marlins outfielder will replace injured New York Mets pitcher Rick Reed in Tuesday's game at Seattle.
Reed, who was scheduled to start Sunday night against the Yankees, was scratched with spasms in his upper back/lower neck. Left-hander Glendon Rusch was named to start in his place.
Reed is expected to be in attendance at the All-Star Game.
"I'm at a lack of words ... but things happen," Floyd said. "I pray for nobody to get hurt, but maybe it was meant to be. I am definitely going to enjoy it. All the stuff is behind us. I'm going to have a blast. It's a good ending to a bad beginning."
The American League All-Star roster also saw a change Sunday when Seattle's Mike Cameron was added to the team, replacing Devil Rays outfielder Greg Vaughn, who has a strained right hamstring.
Floyd's selection comes after New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine sent him a letter Friday saying he regretted the controversy caused by not picking Floyd for the All-Star team.
Floyd said he was so certain he had made the team after talking to Valentine by phone on Tuesday that he spent $16,000 on airplane tickets to Seattle for family and friends.
When the team was announced Wednesday, Floyd wasn't on it, setting off an acrimonious "he said" battle, which showed no sign of abating.
Reed, who was scheduled to start Sunday night against the Yankees, was scratched with spasms in his upper back/lower neck. Left-hander Glendon Rusch was named to start in his place.
Reed is expected to be in attendance at the All-Star Game.
"I'm at a lack of words ... but things happen," Floyd said. "I pray for nobody to get hurt, but maybe it was meant to be. I am definitely going to enjoy it. All the stuff is behind us. I'm going to have a blast. It's a good ending to a bad beginning."
The American League All-Star roster also saw a change Sunday when Seattle's Mike Cameron was added to the team, replacing Devil Rays outfielder Greg Vaughn, who has a strained right hamstring.
Floyd's selection comes after New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine sent him a letter Friday saying he regretted the controversy caused by not picking Floyd for the All-Star team.
Floyd said he was so certain he had made the team after talking to Valentine by phone on Tuesday that he spent $16,000 on airplane tickets to Seattle for family and friends.
When the team was announced Wednesday, Floyd wasn't on it, setting off an acrimonious "he said" battle, which showed no sign of abating.
