Lofton Back in Time to Be an All-Star

Atlanta Brave center fielder Kenny Lofton, whose appearance in the All-Star game was in jeopardy because of a groin injury, was activated from the disabled list Saturday, opening the door for him to play Tuesday.

Lofton, who sat out the previous 16 games because of a pulled left groin muscle, was activated shortly after taking batting practice before Saturday night’s game against the Montreal Expos.

Lofton wasn’t immediately available for comment, but Brave Manager Bobby Cox, also the NL manager Tuesday, said before Saturday’s game that if Lofton played either Saturday or today, he should play in the All-Star game in Cleveland.

Lofton started and led off for the Braves in his first action since injuring the muscle June 17 at Toronto.

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St. Louis Cardinal shortstop Royce Clayton was added to the NL All-Star team, taking the place of the injured Barry Larkin of Cincinnati. It will be the first All-Star appearance for Clayton, who is batting .261 with six home runs and 36 RBIs. . . . It won’t be all fun and games for Colorado first baseman Andres Galarraga at the All-Star game. Galarraga will meet with National League President Leonard Coleman, who suspended the Colorado slugger for three games because he charged the mound after Florida Marlin pitcher Dennis Cook hit him with a pitch May 31. Cook received a three-game suspension, but Coleman reduced it to two games, and Cook began serving it Friday. Colorado Manager Don Baylor said he hopes the meeting with Coleman leads to a similar reduction for Galarraga. . . . New York Met catcher Todd Hundley, who sat out his third consecutive game Saturday because of a right elbow problem, said he will go to but probably not play in the All-Star game. Hundley underwent an MRI on Thursday and it revealed a stretched ligament in his throwing elbow.