MLB
Replacements named
NEW YORK -- Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Aaron Sanchez has been picked to replace injured Boston closer Craig Kimbrel on the AL All-Star team.
AL Manager Ned Yost of Kansas City announced the choice Saturday. The game is Tuesday in San Diego.
Kimbrel injured his left knee while shagging balls before Friday night's game. He is expected to have surgery for a medial meniscus tear Monday and likely will be sidelined for three to six weeks.
Sanchez is 9-1 with a 2.97 ERA. He pitched five innings Saturday against Detroit and got a no-decision.
Sanchez is a first-time All-Star. He joined Blue Jays teammates Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion, Marco Estrada and Michael Saunders in being chosen for the AL side.
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Starling Marte will replace the Mets' Yoenis Cespedes on the National League roster.
New York Manager Terry Collins, who will guide the NL team, chose Marte on Saturday. Cespedes left the Mets' game Friday night with a quadriceps injury.
Marte will join Pittsburgh closer Mark Melancon for Tuesday night's game. It is Marte's first All-Star game.
Marte ranked ninth in National League hitting (.316), second in stolen bases (27), fourth in multi-hit games (31), tied for sixth in hits (97) and tied for second in outfield assists (nine) entering Saturday's game with the Cubs.
RED SOX
Closer Kimbrel on DL
BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox have placed closer Craig Kimbrel on the 15-day disabled list with an injured left knee that will likely sideline him for three to six weeks.
He's expected to have surgery Monday for a medial meniscus tear.
Manager John Farrell said Saturday the right-hander was injured shagging fly balls before Friday's victory over Tampa Bay.
Kimbrel is 1-3 with a 3.55 ERA and 17 saves in 19 chances.
Boston reacted quickly to the news, acquiring Arizona closer Brad Ziegler for two minor leaguers early Saturday morning.
CUBS
Fowler opts out of game
PITTSBURGH -- Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler has decided not to play in Tuesday's All-Star Game at San Diego.
Fowler, who was voted as one of three outfielders to start in the game, concluded he needed more time before he feels ready to play the outfield.
Fowler has been sidelined since June 19 because of a right hamstring strain and went 0-for-2 with two walks and one strikeout Friday night in his first game on a minor league rehabilitation assignment for Class A South Bend.
Fowler, one of seven Cubs named to play for the National League, will participate in All-Star Game festivities and will resume his rehab assignment later next week. Fowler's injury originally was believed to be a seven- to 10-day ailment.
This is the first time Fowler has been voted to the All-Star Game. He was batting .290 with a .398 on-base percentage in 64 games for the Cubs.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jay Bruce replaced Fowler on the NL squad.
RANGERS
Darvish pitching again
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Right-hander Yu Darvish will make a second rehab start today at Class AA Frisco, and it could be his last before returning to the Texas Rangers' rotation after the All-Star break.
Or it might not be his last, and a third rehab start would open the door for another start by Chi Chi Gonzalez, even though he was optioned to Class AAA Round Rock.
The decision will depend on how Darvish, on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder tightness, feels Monday after throwing five innings or 75 pitches at Dr Pepper Ballpark.
If Darvish pitches well and is healthy, Manager Jeff Banister said that the Rangers would consider activating him for the first series of the second half. If not, Darvish would make another rehab start and possibly not be activated until July 20 or July 22.
That means the Rangers would have two vacancies in their rotation, and Gonzalez would be a candidate for one of them, even though he has an 8.71 ERA after three starts.
"He has to be," Banister said. "We're going to get Darvish back at some point, so hopefully that fixes the volatility a bit. In 10 days, we'll probably need [Gonzalez]."
The Rangers want to see Gonzalez use his sinker more effectively, both in terms of making him more efficient and helping him get back into counts. If he sees his fastball dipping low out of the strike zone, he needs to figure out how to throw it for a strike.
"Be the predator on the mound," Banister said.
Left-hander Alex Claudio was recalled from Round Rock to give the bullpen another fresh arm. Claudio is making his fourth stint with the Rangers this season.
Sports on 07/10/2016