Rookie sensation Francisco Liriano is headed to the All-Star Game after all.
The Minnesota Twins left-hander, who was beat out by catcher A.J. Pierzynski for the final AL All-Star spot in Internet voting Thursday, was named to replace right-hander Jose Contreras of the Chicago White Sox on the American League All-Star team.
The announcement was made on Monday by White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen.
Liriano was certainly deserving of the honor. He is 10-1 with a 1.83 ERA, allowing just 63 hits in 88 1/3 innings with 102 strikeouts.
Liriano joins two other Twins -- fellow left-hander Johan Santana and catcher Joe Mauer -- on the AL All-Star team.
Contreras is 9-0 with a 3.38 ERA but started Sunday's game against Boston and would not have been available to pitch on Tuesday.
Boston's Curt Schilling was next in line -- the pecking order was determined when all AL players made their picks -- but he pitched six innings against Contreras and also took a line drive off the right elbow.
"I'm not bothered or disappointed I'm not going to pitch," Contreras said through a translator. "I pitch for my team, to help my team win, and we're fighting for the division now.
"Yesterday was a good game -- a long game -- and I made 117 pitches and I'm very happy to be here at the All-Star Game. I wish I could pitch, but it's more important I be ready for Friday to help my team win," he said.
Information from SportsTicker and The Associated Press was used in this report.