Sanchez named to All-Star Game, Suarez replaced

Sanchez named to All-Star Game, Suarez replaced originally appeared in NBC Sports Philadelphia

Cristopher Sanchez stood out as one of the most obvious candidates to replace a pitcher unable to participate in the All-Star Game and received news Saturday afternoon that he would join seven of his Phillies teammates in Arlington, Texas.

Eight All-Stars, an impressive number that ties the major league record. It has happened seven other times, with the 2023 Braves being the only other team in the last decade to send eight.

The Phillies also set a big league record with five All-Star pitchers.

Sanchez, Zack Wheeler, Ranger Suarez, Jeff Hoffman, Matt Strahm, Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and Alec Bohm were all selected.

Wheeler will miss the game because of back spasms, but was not expected to participate anyway because he would have started the final game before the All-Star break.

Suarez will also miss the All-Star Game due to tightness in his lower back. The Phillies don’t expect him to miss time in the offing, although they plan to pitch Wheeler and Suarez in their second series rather than the first.

Suarez was replaced by Max Fried just hours after Sanchez replaced Chris Sale, who is unavailable as he will start on Sunday.

Sanchez’s late start in the first half added yet another layer to his rise over the last 13 months from Triple A depth to No. 2/3 starter. He held a powerful Dodgers lineup to two runs in six innings to lower his ERA to 2.96. Sanchez ranks fourth in the NL in ERA. Wheeler is first at 2.70 and Suarez is third at 2.76.

And, yes, there’s Aaron Nola, who is second in the majors with 11 wins and has a 3.38 ERA. He should also be at the top of the list of replacements in case someone drops out.

“I told them if they put the guys in that I think deserve to leave our club,” manager Rob Thomson said earlier this week, “they would have to put out a 40-man roster for the All-Star Game. “