Phillies bring in MLB-leading 8th All-Star: Sánchez replaces Atlanta’s Chris Sale

Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 11, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez will make his first All-Star Game appearance, replacing Atlanta left-hander Chris Sale, who is scheduled to start for the Braves on Sunday and will not pitch in the Midsummer Classic.

With the signing of Sánchez on Saturday, the Phillies’ total number of All-Stars (MLB leader) rises to eight, setting another franchise record.

The game takes place on Tuesday evening at the home stadium of the Texas Rangers. Philadelphia is the only team in the Major League to go into the break with at least 60 wins.

Sánchez is the third member of Philadelphia’s rotation to be nominated as an All-Star, but the only one who will potentially participate.

Right-hander Zack Wheeler had already been sidelined with back spasms, and now Ranger Suárez joins him with the same problem. The left-hander was replaced Saturday by Atlanta right-hander Max Fried, who is making his second All-Star appearance.

Sánchez is the 38th All-Star making his first appearance, and Fried is the 10th reserve – six of them from the National League. The additions bring the total number of All-Stars to 74.

Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski said Suárez was excluded from the All-Star Game as a precautionary measure. The 28-year-old suffered from tightness and spasms in his lower back following a 6-2 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Friday night.

“Of course you dream of being in the All-Star game, but I think health is everything,” Suárez said through an interpreter after Philadelphia’s 11-5 win over Oakland on Saturday. “I think it’s best for me to rest.”

Suárez (10-4) had a 1.83 ERA in 16 starts, but is 8.62 in his last three appearances. Three of his losses came in his last four starts.

“He’s pitched a lot of innings and we want to make sure he stays fresh,” Dombrowski said. “This will be a nice break for him.”

Sánchez, 27, has a 7-4 record and a 2.96 ERA. In his last start before Wednesday’s break, he allowed two runs in six innings in a 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Phillies have three starters: first baseman Bryce Harper, shortstop Trea Turner and third baseman Alec Bohm.

Relievers Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strahm complete the Philadelphia contingent, making the Phillies the first team with five All-Star pitchers, according to MLB.

Sale claimed his 12th win on Tuesday with a 6-2 victory over Arizona, making him the MLB’s leading player. It is the 35-year-old’s eighth All-Star nomination.

Seattle’s Logan Gilbert was replaced by teammate and reliever Andrés Muñoz; Gilbert is expected to start for the Mariners on Sunday.

Minnesota infielder/outfielder Willi Castro, Baltimore outfielder Anthony Santander and Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg were added to the AL roster early, replacing Houston shortstop Jose Altuve (left hand soreness), Boston third baseman Rafael Devers (left shoulder soreness) and Houston outfielder Kyle Tucker (right shin contusion).

Pittsburgh right-hander Paul Skenes, Cincinnati shortstops Elly De La Cruz and Hunter Greene and San Francisco outfielder Heliot Ramos were NL replacements for Wheeler, Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (broken left hand) and right-hander Tyler Glasnow (back strain) and San Diego outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (right thigh).

Marcus Semien of host Texas replaced Altuve in the AL starting lineup.

Skenes is expected to start in the National League after only making eleven appearances in the Major League.

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