The 87th MLB All-Star Game will be Tuesday, July 12, at Petco Park in San Diego.
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SEND SAUNDERS: The Blue Jays marketing machine moved into high gear on the first day after left fielder Michael Saunders was named as one of the five final-vote candidates for the all-star game, along with Houston outfielder George Springer, Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia, Detroit second baseman Ian Kinsler and Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria.
Blue Jays right-hander Marco Estrada is hoping cortisone shots to his sore back will prevent him from missing his next scheduled start. Estrada has struggled with a sore back all season that was aggravated by taking batting practice ahead of games in National League ballparks. “My worst nightmare came true, unfortunately”, Estrada said Wednesday, July 6. “I think in the long run this is going to benefit me”.
Estrada, who turned 33 on Tuesday, got his first invite to the annual showcase. In his past 10 starts, he is 2-4 with a 6.36 ERA, despite a decent start in his most recent outing.
It would have been his first all-star game appearance.
Toronto Blue Jays’ Edwin Encarnacion congratulates Josh Donaldson after hitting his second home run of the game against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Tuesday, July 5, 2016. He was even better in the playoffs, especially in games where the Blue Jays needed him to be at his best. “I wanted to play baseball and have fun with it but you always want to be part of an All-Star team”.
“I haven’t had much sleep just knowing that there might be a possibility I don’t get the opportunity to pitch in this game”.
“We just thought it was best”, Gibbons said.
“At the beginning of the game, it looked like he was real sharp”, Yost said. While the Blue Jays did not get off to a great start this season, there offence is terrorizing pitchers once again and their starting rotation has been strong throughout. “But I think we’re doing the right thing now”. But obviously it’s not up to me. Kansas City is also 5-2 in Kennedy’s last seven starts against a team with a winning record, and 0-4 in Kennedy’s last four road starts.
“My body feels good, it’s just the results haven’t been there”, he said.
“He’s definitely an All-Star-caliber-type pitcher”, Yost said.
Saunders, from Victoria, still might join the American League all-stars as he was named to an online fan ballot to fill in the final roster spots. On Tuesday, Blue Jays trainers let him walk on a treadmill but do nothing more.
The 24-year-old right-hander bounced back for a 1-2-3 sixth inning before giving up a lead-off, game-tying solo shot to Morales in the seventh. Voting is now underway at MLB.com and will remain open until 4 p.m. ET on Friday.
Meanwhile, Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost will have to choose a replacement for Estrada on the American League’s all-star roster.
Royals starter Chris Young (2-8) gave up seven hits, including four home runs, and six runs in 2 1/3 innings.
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Schultz hasn’t earned a decision in 4 2/3 innings pitched for Toronto this season with a 3.86 ERA and five strikeouts.
