Toronto Blue Jays starter Aaron Sanchez is tentatively slated to pitch the fourth inning of Tuesday’s All-Star Game, American League manager Ned Yost announced Monday.
Chicago White Sox left-hander Chris Sale will start the game for the American League, while Johnny Cueto of the San Francisco Giants will start for the NL. After Sale pitches, Yost plans to call on Sale, Corey Kluber, Cole Hamels, Sanchez and Jose Quintana followed by the AL bullpen.
Sanchez, who made the team as a replacement for Boston Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel, went 9-1 with a 2.97 ERA and 103 strikeouts in 118.1 innings during a breakout first half. The right-hander said Saturday that it’s a ‘huge honour’ to represent the Blue Jays along with the game’s best players.
“Going into every year that’s one of the things you set goals for,” Sanchez said. “To just be in that category with these guys is unbelievable.”
The Blue Jays have four other All-Stars: Edwin Encarnacion, Josh Donaldson, Michael Saunders and Marco Estrada (who was replaced by Kluber after being placed on the disabled list).