Tampa Bay Rays: Chris Archer Named to All-Star Team

Major League Baseball announced this afternoon that Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer has been named to the All-Star team as a replacement.

On Friday afternoon MLB announced that Chris Archer is one of four pitchers added to the AL squad for Tuesday’s All-Star Game. For Archer, this is his second All-Star selection and first since 2015.

After having a very disappointing 2016 season, Archer has turned it around this year pitching like he did in 2015 when he was selected to his first All-Star Game. On the season, Archer is 7-5 with a 3.95 ERA over 18 starts.

He has walked just 36 while holding opposing batters to a .243 average. His 139 strikeouts in 116.1 innings pitched, ranks second in the AL and fifth in the majors behind Chris Sale of the Boston Red Sox (178) who also leads the majors.

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The one thing that could prevent Archer from pitching in the game is that he is scheduled to start against the Red Sox on Sunday afternoon. In most cases, all pitchers that are selected to the All-Star Game and scheduled to start on Sunday are not available replaced on the respective All-Star rosters.

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that Archer told MLB that he would be available. However, with Rays manager Kevin Cash on the AL Coaching staff, he could have a say in decision if it came down to needing Archer or getting him in the game.

In addition to Archer as the AL replacements are: Robinson Cano, Roberto Osuna, Chris Devenski, Brandon Kintzler and Justin Upton with Alex Wood the lone NL replacement. They will replace Starlin Castro, Dallas Keuchel and Mike Trout all of whom are currently on the DL and the pitchers that are scheduled to start on Sunday, Clayton Kershaw, Michael Fulmer, Corey Kluber and Yu Darvish.

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On a side note, Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona who was set to manage the AL All-Stars will not manage the squad as he underwent a heart procedure on Thursday. Indians bench coach Brad Mills will manage the AL All-Stars with Ray’s manager Kevin Cash assisting Mills and the rest of the Indians coaching staff.