Sanchez to replace Kimbrel on American League All-Star roster

American League All-Star manager Ned Yost of the Kansas City Royals announced today 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. 

MLB All-Star Week includes the MLB All-Star Game presented by MasterCard at Petco Park (July 12th), Gatorade All-Star Workout Day featuring the T-Mobile Home Run Derby (July 11th), All-Star Sunday featuring the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game and All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game (July 10th), All-Star FanFest at the San Diego Convention Center (July 8th-12th), plus a lineup of additional events taking place around the city. The 87th Midsummer Classic will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network, MLB.com and Sirius XM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information about MLB All-Star Week and to purchase tickets, please visit AllStarGame.com and follow @AllStarGame on social media.