Mark Buehrle, Jose Bautista, and Edwin Encarnacion to rep Blue Jays at MLB All-Star Game

Major League Baseball unveiled the rosters for the 2014 MLB All-Star Game on Sunday night, and as expected, the Toronto Blue Jays were well represented with three Blue Jays making the team. Jose Bautista was the leading vote-getter for the season, beating out Colorado’s Troy Tulowitzki for the honor and will be joined by starter Mark Buehrle and first baseman/designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion.

For Jose Bautista, this will represent his fifth consecutive selection and fifth straight start in the American League outfield. In 83 games thus far this season, the Blue Jays slugger is hitting an even .300 with 17 home runs and 51 RBI, while leading all of baseball with a .423 on-base percentage and 60 walks and placing 3rd with a wRC+ of 165.

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Braves wisely avoided controversy with Juan Soto during All-Star Game
Braves wisely avoided controversy with Juan Soto during All-Star Game /

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  • The 35-year-old Buehrle will be making his 4th appearance in the Midsummer Classic and his first since 2009. After winning 10 of his first 12 starts on the season, Buehrle has lost 5 of his last 6 despite pitching to a 3.60 ERA during that span. Still he ranks third in the American League with those 10 wins and his overall 2.60 ERA has him on pace for the lowest of his 15-year career.

    The final Blue Jays player to receive selection was first baseman/designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion, but Eddy was likely the easiest choice of them all. The quiet offensive juggernaut paces all of baseball with 70 RBI, ranks 3rd in home runs (26), third in OPS (.959), ninth with a 3.1 WAR, fourth with a 162 wRC+, fourth with a .411 wOBA, and second with a .314 ISO.

    That all said, Edwin Encarnacion does not look like he will join the All-Star roster on the field, as he was received an MRI on Sunday morning and was diagnosed with a quad strain that may or may not require a DL stint. As of this writing, the severity of the strain has not been made public knowledge nor the time frame for recovery. However with the Blue Jays having just six games remaining before the July 15th All-Star game, it is almost safe to say that Encarnacion will likely rest his quad at least through the game.

    No Blue Jays were rewarded with a spot among the Final Vote contestants, which is stock full of starting pitchers including Chris Sale, Dallas Keuchel, Corey Kluber, Rick Porcello, and Garrett Richards.