Cristopher Sánchez joins eight other Phillies in the Midsummer Classic, pushing the franchise's MLB-leading All-Star total even higher.
Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez has been named to his first All-Star Game, replacing Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale, who will start for Atlanta on Sunday and miss the Midsummer Classic.
Sánchez's addition brings the Phillies' All-Star contingent to a record-breaking eight players, adding to their impressive franchise tally. The game will take place Tuesday night at the home of the Texas Rangers, where the Phillies will enter the break as the only team in the big leagues with at least 60 victories.
The 27-year-old Sánchez has emerged as a key contributor to the Phillies' success this season, posting a stellar 7-4 record with a 2.96 ERA. He allowed just two runs in six innings during a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in his last start before the break on Wednesday.
Sánchez becomes the ninth replacement and the 38th first-time All-Star, raising the total number of players participating in the Midsummer Classic to 73. He joins fellow Phillies starters Zack Wheeler and Ranger Suárez in the All-Star Game, while Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Alec Bohm represent the team as position players. Relievers Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strahm round out the Philadelphia contingent.
Sale, who earned his MLB-leading 12th victory in a 6-2 win over Arizona on Tuesday, will miss the All-Star Game due to his scheduled start for the Braves on Sunday. This is the eighth All-Star nod for the 35-year-old left-hander.
In addition to Sánchez, several other players have been named as NL replacements for injured or unavailable players. Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes, Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz, and right-hander Hunter Greene, and San Francisco Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos will join the NL squad.
Skenes is set to start for the National League after making just 11 big league starts. He replaces Philadelphia's Zach Wheeler, who is out due to back spasms. De La Cruz and Greene replace Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts, who suffered a broken left hand, and right-hander Tyler Glasnow, who is experiencing back tightness. Ramos takes the place of San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr., who is sidelined by a right thigh injury.
In the American League, Seattle Mariners reliever Andrés Muñoz will replace Logan Gilbert, who will also start for Seattle on Sunday. Minnesota Twins infielder/outfielder Willi Castro, Baltimore Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander, and Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg were added to the AL roster earlier in place of Houston Astros shortstop Jose Altuve, Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers, and Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker.
Marcus Semien of the host Texas Rangers has replaced Altuve in the AL starting lineup.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
