Blue Jays News: Jordan Romano added to the AL All-Star team

It came down to the wire, but Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano is an All-Star, again.

For the second year in a row, the 30-year-old was sent an invitation to the All-Star festivities as a replacement for a top-tier starter. Last year he replaced the Yankees' Gerrit Cole; this year, Houston's Framber Valdez.

Romano learned of his addition to the American League All-Star squad in a team clubhouse meeting before the Jays' first-half finale against the Tigers yesterday, per Steve Kornacki of MLB.com.

"I wasn't sure what it was going to be about," Romano told Kornacki. "But he told me I'm going to Seattle. So, I am super pumped. All the boys are happy."

While Romano didn't get a chance to pitch in last year's game, you'd have to imagine the MLB and AL saves leader, with 26 in 29 chances, will get the call this time around.

In addition to his 26 saves, the Canadian closer heads into the break with a 4-4 record, a 2.87 ERA and an 11.47 K/9 over 37.2 innings. His save on Sunday in Detroit marked the 87th of his career, putting him three behind Casey Jansen for fifth in team history.

As a top-tier closer, Romano has risen to the occasion when his team needs it the most this year. His 72 batters faced in high-leverage situations is the fourth most among all MLB relievers and second in the AL.

The fifth-year Blue Jay has held his ground in these appearances. His 37.5 percent strikeout rate in high-leverage situations ranks second in the AL to Baltimore's All-Star closer Félix Bautista (min. 40 batters faced).

Romano joins teammates Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Whit Merrifield and Kevin Gausman as the Blue Jays' representatives, although Gausman has already pulled out of the trip to Seattle.

You can watch Romano and his fellow Blue Jays suit up for the All-Star game on Tuesday night. For the full event schedule, check out our All-Star week guide.