NEW YORK (AP) — Bartolo Colon and Max Scherzer are headed to the All-Star Game, picked as replacements for other pitchers originally selected to the National League team.
Major League Baseball also announced Friday that Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Michael Saunders and San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt won the final two All-Star roster spots, elected by fans in online balloting.
Colon was chosen to replace Madison Bumgarner in Tuesday’s showcase in San Diego because the Giants ace is scheduled to pitch Sunday against Arizona.
A fan favorite with the New York Mets, Colon is 7-4 with a 3.28 ERA. He was picked by his own manager — Terry Collins of the Mets will lead the NL team.
Scherzer (9-6, 3.21 ERA, major league-leading 155 strikeouts) was selected to his fourth straight All-Star Game. He will substitute for Washington Nationals teammate Stephen Strasburg, who came off the disabled list this week and won’t pitch in the showcase as a precaution. Strasburg, who is from San Diego, plans to attend the game, the Nationals said.
San Diego pitcher Drew Pomeranz and outfielders Starling Marte of Pittsburgh and Jay Bruce of Cincinnati have been added to the NL All-Star team as injury replacements.
Major League Baseball also announced Saturday that outfielders Marcell Ozuna of Miami and Carlos Gonzalez of Colorado will start for the NL.