SAN DIEGO–American League All-Star manager Ned Yost of the Kansas City Royals announced Sunday his selection of Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Aaron Sanchez to the AL All-Star roster as a replacement for Boston Red Sox reliever Craig Kimbrel, who has been placed on the 15-day disabled list.
This marks the first career Midsummer Classic for Sanchez, a third-year Major Leaguer who is 9-1 with a 2.94 ERA on the season. In his 17 starts this year — his first as a full-time member of Toronto’s starting rotation — the 24-year-old California native has struck out 99 batters across 113.1 innings, allowing 99 hits and 35 walks. He posted a 4-0 mark with a 2.72 ERA in his six starts in June, in which he logged 39.2 innings. The 6’4″ hurler is 18-9 with a 2.79 ERA in his young Major League career. Sanchez joins teammates Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion, Marco Estrada (DL) and Michael Saunders in representing the Blue Jays on the AL All-Star roster.
Kimbrel, a five-time All-Star who made the Midsummer Classic in his first season with the Red Sox, has a 3.55 ERA and 17 saves on the year. He has fanned 50 batters in 33.0 innings. Kimbrel is invited to San Diego with full All-Star honors.
