Estrada first dealt with a sore back in spring training and aggravated the injury swinging a bat during an interleague start at Philadelphia.
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The Blue Jays won the game, 8-3, and the outcome was never in doubt. He’s hopeful he’ll make his next start on Thursday against Detroit….
That simply wouldn’t do. 900 now is the best by a Blue Jays starter with a minimum of 15 starts before the All-Star break. “If I have to give up my spot I’d really like it to be one of my teammates”. I was told, ‘listen, this is what you need to do.
The Blue Jays opened the floodgates in the bottom of the inning.
All-star-in-waiting Saunders served as the Jays’ designated hitter on Wednesday, while Junior Lake, who came in with a lifetime.
Encarnacion, who was 2 for 4 with an RBI in Tuesday’s win, will be making his third all-star appearance; Estrada, his first.
But Estrada’s body is still processing the cortisone, and it would be completely senseless for the team to allow him to potentially further aggravate his back by pitching in a game that doesn’t affect the win and loss column of the Toronto Blue Jays.
“We’re on a nice little roll right now, no question about that”, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said.
On the same night baseball’s hottest commodities were named for the upcoming MLB All-Star Game, a couple of pitchers in the twilight of their careers went to work tossing slow-movers while hoping for a change of personal fortune. “It was important to him”, Gibbons added.
Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost, who as reigning American League champion gets to manage the all-star team, said Wednesday that there’s a chance that Sanchez will get the nod. “To finally get the opportunity to be an All-Star, it means the world to me and my family”.
On Wednesday, after being given the DL news, Estrada was somber yet accepting.
“I’ll be there supporting the guys and I’ll just enjoy every minute of it”. “I guess my worst nightmare came true, unfortunately”. “I don’t know if it’s the right thing to do or whatever, but it’s what I want to do. And I think this is going to benefit me in the future”.
The 87th MLB All-Star Game will be played Tuesday, July 12, at Petco Park in San Diego.
“We just thought it was best”, Gibbons said. “It’s slowly improving”, Estrada said.
“I’m happy I made the All-Star team”, said Donaldson. He will have one more start before the break. It’s something he learned from Mark Buehrle. The earliest Estrada would return is likely July 22 when the Seattle Mariners visit Toronto.
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Estrada was due to start on Thursday, but right-hander Drew Hutchison will take his place. His second, off Young in the third, happened around the time he was named to the team along with fellow Blue Jays Edwin Encarnacion and Marco Estrada. The rotation for the rest of the Tigers series will remain the same, with J.A. Happ on Friday, followed by Aaron Sanchez and R.A. Dickey. Naturally, Estrada know who he would choose.
