There's A New Opening on the National League All-Star Roster

After an unexpected resurgent season, San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey was deservedly named a National League All-Star starter. But his return to the Midsummer Classic after a 3-year absence has been upended by a thumb injury.

#SFGiants All-Star catcher Buster Posey is placed on the 10-day injured list, creating an opening for a catcher on the NL Roster.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 9, 2021

Posey has been placed on the injured list by the Giants, which leaves an open spot on the NL roster.

Posey suffered the contusion on his catching hand earlier this week, and has missed the last three games. The Giants can't afford to take any chances with their All-Star backstop, as they try to fend off the Dodgers for 1st place in the NL West division. San Fran is currently up on L.A. by one game.

Posey has returned to All-Star form this season, hitting .328 with a .968 OPS and 12 home runs.

J.T. Realmuto was selected as the second catcher for the National League, so he would assume the starting job. There are a number of names who could make a case to be next-in-line to fill Posey's spot on the NL roster, including:

Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers
Tyler Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds
Willson Contreras, Chicago Cubs
Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals

Jacob deGrom has also decided to skip the event, to rest his varied bumps and bruises.

The American League will have to name three fill-ins, one for Mike Trout, who has been out since May, and a couple of more for Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa of the Houston Astros, who have both elected to bow out (Correa was today placed on the Covid Heath & Safety Protocols injured list, so he wouldn't have been able to go even if he wanted).

Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports