Three days after Yankees right-fielder Nick Swisher snuck into the All-Star game via Major League Baseball’s final vote, it was announced that he will participate in the Home Run Derby at Angel Stadium on Monday.
Swisher was added to the competition on Sunday, along with Arizona Diamondbacks center-fielder Chris Young.
With his home run in a 4-1 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, Swisher now has 15 blasts on the season. He has hit 148 home runs in 843 career games and has hit over 20 in each of the past five seasons.
Young, who is in the midst of his fifth major league season, also has 15 home runs in 2010. He has 86 in 557 career games, with his most coming in 2007 when he hit 32.
Swisher joins Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera and Blue Jays outfielder Vernon Wells as an American League representative in the contest.
Young will join Cardinals left-fielder Matt Holliday, Brewers right-fielder Corey Hart and Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez on the National League side.
Swisher’s entry is even more intriguing because of the Yankees’ decision to pull All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano out of the Derby, citing concerns about Cano’s back.
When in it came to Swisher wanting to participate, though, Yankees manager Joe Girardi told ESPN.com, "I said, 'Go ahead, have fun with it,'"
