Major League Baseball: All-Stars Adjust Their Plans
ATLANTA – Initially, Jacob Misiorowski was set on doing “absolutely nothing” this week. Despite impressing with a five-game stretch at the start of his major league career, the 23-year-old rookie fireballer didn’t think he stood a chance of being selected as an All-Star.
“I was going to sit in Milwaukee,” Misiorowski shared, “and order in Chinese food.” However, his plans quickly changed when he learned on Saturday that he would be stepping in as a replacement for Cubs starter Matthew Boyd.
By the end of last week, a total of 16 players were informed that they would be taking on roles as All-Star replacements. Most of them only found out in the middle or late part of the week after several pitchers withdrew from the competition to avoid pitching on short rest.
This led to numerous joyful cancellations and shifting of plans among the newly named All-Stars who had to modify their schedules for the break. For instance, Rays starter Drew Rasmussen had to forgo his family trip to Cape Cod. After finishing the first half of the season in Boston, he figured it would be nice to unwind in the area for a few days. Instead, he was announced as an All-Star replacement for Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi on Friday.
“This is definitely a little bit more special,” said Rasmussen, who now intends to head back to Tampa to rest after the All-Star Game before the Rays kick off the second half at home.
For Tigers starter Casey Mize, receiving an All-Star nod meant cancelling a trip to Tampa, his hometown. Mizeโs wife is expecting their first child in the fall, and he had planned to accompany her for a check-up.
“Luckily, it wasnโt the biggest appointment ever, and she was able to reschedule,” Mize noted.
Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia had also anticipated a trip to Florida after being overlooked for the All-Star selection. jilino1.apps He didnโt learn that he would be replacing the injured Brandon Lowe until Friday, just days before, at which time he had already made plans for Miami. (He managed to get a refund, he reported.)
Another American League third baseman had plans on the opposite coast. Tigers’ Zach McKinstry was set to enjoy some sunshine and relaxation on a boat in a cabin in Washington. However, an injury to Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena cleared the way for McKinstry to go to Atlanta, where he will make his All-Star debut.
Mets starting pitcher David Peterson, on the other hand, decided to stick to his original plans, though he postponed them slightly ph check. He is sharing a house with a teammate in the Hamptons.
“Theyโre there, getting to use it,” Peterson explained. “They told us itโs great, so Iโm looking forward to having a little downtime once all this is wrapped up.” After the initial All-Star pitcher selections were revealed, Peterson still held out hope he might make it after posting a 3. jili 777 slot06 ERA in the first half. Ultimately, he was named as a replacement for Giants starter Robbie Ray on Thursday.
“When the selections came out, I kind of put it out of my mind, like if it happens, it happens,” Peterson remarked. “But I still had a couple of starts to go, and I needed to focus on those. So, I tried to keep my head down and continue helping the Mets win games to see where we ended up.”
Other replacements opted to keep their schedules light despite not making the initial cut. “I actually held out hope,” said Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott. “I thought I deserved to be here from the start, but obviously, everybody here is deserving.” Abbott consciously avoided making plans for the All-Star break, and it paid off when he received the call last Tuesday as a replacement for Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Among National League pitchers with at least 90 innings pitched this season, Abbott boasts the second-lowest ERA at 2.07, trailing only All-Star Game starter Paul Skenes at 2.01. deliver in tagalog The Virginia native chose to remain in Cincinnati instead of returning home, all while hoping for a potential call-up.
Last year, Trevor Megill finished the first half with a 2.05 ERA and was 18-for-20 in save opportunities before the break, but he didnโt earn an All-Star spot. This year, having taken over the closing role in Milwaukee full-time, he set his sights on reaching Atlanta. That goal remained steadfast even after he was left off the playersโ initial voting list. Megill, who currently ranks second in saves in the National League, would either be nominated eventually or remain in Milwaukee like his teammate Misiorowski. jilislot.ph
“I planned on being here from the beginning of the season,” Megill shared, revealing that he learned Wednesday he would be substituting for teammate Freddy Peralta. “Last year I was just an arm’s reach away, and things didnโt pan out as I hoped. It was all or nothing for me this time around.”
Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. He has previously covered the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers, and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU graduate, Rowan is originally from California, raised in Texas, and returned to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on Twitter at @RowanKavner.
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