Matt Kemp, Chone Figgins fall short in All-Star vote

Angels infielder Chone Figgins will be getting a three-day vacation instead of a trip to next week’s All-Star game after an online vote of fans gave the final berth on the American League roster to Detroit’s Brandon Inge.

Figgins, who went into the Angels’ off day Thursday leading the AL in runs (63) and ranking among the top 10 in batting (.310), hits (99), on-base percentage (.395) and steals (24), finished third among five candidates in the balloting to fill out the AL team for Tuesday’s game in St. Louis.

Inge, a sterling fielder at third, is hitting .288 with 19 homers and 54 runs batted in. He received 11.8 million votes to edge Texas’ Ian Kinsler.

The Angels, in second place in the AL West heading into their final series of the first half tonight, are expecting to send closer Brian Fuentes and outfielder Torii Hunter to the All-Star game, though Hunter’s participation was thrown into doubt earlier this week by a sore groin.

Hunter, who underwent an MRI exam Wednesday, is expected to decide today whether he’ll go to St. Louis.

-- Kevin Baxter

Martinez: agent working on deal with Phillies

Pedro Martinez says his agent is negotiating with the Philadelphia Phillies, trying to get the pitcher back into the major leagues.

Martinez said the Phillies have been scouting him in his native Dominican Republic.

“The Phillies saw me this past Tuesday in a simulated game and I felt very good with my fastball and all my pitches,” Martinez said from Santo Domingo.

Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. denied reports a deal was done but confirmed the team’s interest in the three-time AL Cy Young Award winner.

“He has not been signed,” Amaro said. “We’ve seen him pitch.”

The 37-year-old Martinez is reported to have worked three innings in a simulated game against a Phillies summer league team, with his fastball clocked at up to 93 mph.

“I feel the best I have for some time,” Martinez said.

Martinez went 5-6 with a 5.61 earned-run average for the New York Mets last year. The free agent pitched in the World Baseball Classic before this season started.