HOUSTON -- Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, nursing a swollen and bruised left hand following a hit by a pitch, opted Thursday to skip the All-Star Game presented by Mastercard.

Altuve, voted by fans as a starter on the American League team for the Midsummer Classic on Tuesday in Arlington, went to the ground after being struck by a 94.3 mph sinker from Twins pitcher Josh Winder on Friday in the eighth inning in Minneapolis. Altuve was removed from the game, and X-rays were negative. He has returned to Houston¡¯s lineup but wants to rest the hand over the break.

¡°Obviously, we have a very important second half of the season that I really want to be healthy [for],¡± Altuve said. ¡°Like I said two days ago, I¡¯m proud and thankful with all the Houston Astros fans that voted, not only for me but also everybody on this team to make this dream possible. This is a huge big deal for us, and we¡¯re really thankful.

¡°Unfortunately, I got hit in the hand and am playing through some stuff. So I really want to take these days and be ready for the second half.¡±

Altuve, selected to his ninth All-Star Game, hasn¡¯t played in the game since 2018. He was previously named an All-Star in 2012, ¡¯14-18 and ¡¯21-22. This year, he topped the Rangers¡¯ Marcus Semien in the fan vote.

Astros manager Joe Espada said he respects Altuve¡¯s decision.

¡°Jose is an All-Star,¡± Espada said. ¡°He¡¯s earned the right to be an All-Star; he¡¯s earned the right to make his own decisions. He chose to let his hand heal, but I would not try to convince a player not to go to the All-Star Game. Being an All-Star is a huge accomplishment.¡±

Minnesota¡¯s Willi Castro was named as a replacement for Altuve for first career All-Star honor. Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker, who was elected by the players as a reserve, will skip the game because of a shin contusion, leaving Yordan Alvarez -- the leading vote-getting at DH in the AL -- as the team¡¯s lone player in the All-Star Game.

Alvarez couldn¡¯t play in the previous two All-Star Games because of injuries but plans to play on Tuesday despite not being in the starting lineup on Thursday against the Marlins with right hip tightness.