Bryant, Harper to be reunited in All-Star Game

It will be just like old times in the All-Star Game for Las Vegas sluggers Kris Bryant and Bryce Harper, who will be teammates, on the National League, for the first time since they joined forces on a youth baseball team in Southern Nevada.

Bryant, a rookie third baseman for the Chicago Cubs, was named as a replacement Monday for injured Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton.

Bryant is batting .279 with 12 home runs and 49 RBIs.

“It’s happened so quickly,” Bryant told the Chicago Tribune. “I’m having so much fun with this. I’m so thankful for the opportunity I was given.”

Bryant, who hit two homers, including a grand slam, and had six RBIs on Saturday, said he’d participate in the Home Run Derby if formally invited.

“I’m open to it,” he said. “Homers are fun.”

Unfortunately, a potential Bryant-Harper showdown in the Home Run Derby won’t take place this year. Harper, a Washington Nationals outfielder who led all NL players in being voted to his third All-Star team with 13.9 million votes, told reporters Monday he’ll skip the Home Run Derby.

One reason Harper passed on the event is because of his father’s recent rotator cuff surgery after a snowboarding accident. Ron Harper pitched to Bryce Harper in the 2013 Home Run Derby, when he finished second to Yoenis Cespedes.

“Not having my dad throwing to me is a big issue for me,” Harper told ESPN.com, adding that his father “throws strikes” and knows where his “sweet spot” is.

Harper has 25 homers, tied with Todd Frazier and Albert Pujols for second in the majors behind Stanton (27). Harper said he hopes to participate in the homer-hitting contest in the future, after his father recovers from his operation.

All-Star events will take place in Cincinnati from July 12 to 14.