Verlander poised for all-star nod

Former Goochland High School star Justin Verlander can expect a nice reward today for an outstanding first half: a berth in the All-Star Game.

Verlander is 8-4 with a 3.54 ERA and an American League-leading 130 strikeouts for the Detroit Tigers, who lead the AL Central by 2½ games. Verlander, rebounding from a mediocre 2008, is in line for his second appearance in the Midsummer Classic. He allowed one run on two hits in one inning in the 2007 game, won 5-4 by the AL in San Francisco.

Verlander is a near-lock to make the roster and is a candidate to start. Other potential starters include Kansas City's Zack Greinke (10-4, majors-leading 2.00 ERA) and Toronto's Roy Halladay (10-2, 2.56 ERA).

Other players with state connections who could earn a berth in the July 14 game in St. Louis: Mets 3B David Wright (Chesapeake), hitting .329 with 20 stolen bases; Nationals 3B Ryan Zimmerman (U.Va., Chesapeake), who earlier in the season had a major league-high 30-game hitting streak; Tigers 3B Brandon Inge (VCU, Lynchburg), who has 18 home runs; Diamondbacks OF Justin Upton (Chesapeake), a former No. 1 overall pick having a breakout season at age 21; and Diamondbacks 3B Mark Reynolds (U.Va.), who has 22 home runs with 57 RBI and 13 stolen bases.

Twins' Slowey on DL

MINNEAPOLIS - Twins RH Kevin Slowey was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained wrist after being rocked by Detroit on Friday. Slowey, who was trying to become the majors' first 11-game winner, gave up a season-worst six runs on five hits in three innings. He'll be replaced in the rotation by Anthony Swarzak, who was called up from Triple-A Rochester.

YANKEES: RH Chien-Ming Wang left yesterday's start against Toronto with a strained right shoulder. The Yankees said Wang would get an MRI today. Wang already has spent time on the disabled list this season with weakness in the adductor muscles in his hips.

BLUE JAYS: RH Scott Richmond was placed on the DL with a sore shoulder. Richmond is 6-5 with a 3.69 ERA in 16 games, 13 starts, this season. LH Brett Cecil will start today against New York, and Brad Mills will be called up from Triple-A Las Vegas to start Tuesday at Tampa Bay.

NATIONALS: RH Jesus Colome was designated for assignment after the Nationals' win over Atlanta yesterday. Colome was 1-1 with an 8.40 ERA in 16 relief appearances. The Nationals have 10 days to trade, release or send him outright to the minor leagues.

INDIANS: Cleveland activated RH Winston Abreu and designated RH Matt Herges for assignment. Abreu was acquired Thursday in a trade with Tampa Bay. He is the 26th pitcher to appear on Cleveland's active roster this season. Herges, 39, was 2-1 with a 3.55 ERA in 21 games out of the Indians' bullpen.