Ace starting pitcher Sale is White Sox's lone all-star
Heading into Tuesday's All-Star Game selections, Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jose Quintana, closer David Robertson and outfielder Adam Eaton were all possible inclusions for the American League team.
There was only one sure thing, Chris Sale.
Quintana, Robertson and Eaton were passed over, so for the second straight year Sale is going to be the Sox's lone representative at Tuesday's All-Star Game in San Diego.
Sale is an AL all-star for the fifth straight season.
"That's extremely hard," manager Robin Ventura said. "Everybody seems to have the one year off, where you're not quite as sharp or you're not as good. But I think even after all the questions (about) his durability, I think that goes along with it, just how much he's improved not only pitching-wise but physically, just to be able to withstand that."
Sale leads the major leagues with 14 wins and only has 2 losses. The 27-year-old lefty also ranks first in the AL with 120 innings pitched and is third with a 2.93 ERA and 118 strikeouts.
The statistics say Sale should make his first All-Star Game start, but that decision is up to AL manager Ned Yost.
"It's special to be the guy that's asked to start the game," Ventura said. "It really means you're the best that year, and there's a lot of good pitchers around the league. We've seen a lot of them. I hope he gets a chance to be that guy. To me, he's earned it. He deserves it, and I hope he enjoys it if he gets that chance."
Quintana is having another tough season getting run support, but he ranks fourth in the AL with 111⅔ innings pitched and is eighth with a 3.06 ERA.
Robertson was tied for the league lead with 23 saves heading into Tuesday's play, and Eaton was leading the league with 21 infield hits, 7 triples and 11 outfield assists.
Morneau watch:
In his second rehab game with Class AAA Charlotte Tuesday night, Justin Morneau had similar numbers as Monday - 0-for-2 before making an early exit.
Morneau is coming back from December elbow surgery and hopes to join the White Sox shortly after the all-star break.
"The timing is the most important thing," Morneau said before Tuesday's game against Pawtucket. "You know, see pitches. The results at this point, I'm not too worried about that. Obviously it's nice to get hits, but to feel good and feel like you're on time and feel like you're able to catch up to the fastest pitch is really what you want to feel right now."
Morneau said his elbow "felt good" after Monday's debut, his first game in nine months.