Scherzer deal no All-star guarantee
Max Scherzer was back on the mound, striking out 11 in six scoreless innings of twohit ball in his first outing back.
His impressive return came after he missed nearly seven weeks because of an oblique injury, and that lengthy absence is why the three-time Cy Young Award winner won’t be an All-star in his first season with the New York Mets. The NL starter in last year’s game, Scherzer was 5-1 with a 2.26 ERA through his comeback last Tuesday night in Cincinnati, only his ninth start this year.
Scherzer isn’t the only player who got a big new contract before the 2022 season and wasn’t on the All-star rosters released Sunday. Among those missing from the All-star rosters:
■ Corey Seager ($325 million, 10 years). The Texas Rangers shortstop and 2020 World Series MVP with the Los Angeles Dodgers is hitting .245 with 19 homers and 45 RBIS.
■ Wander Franco ($182 million, 11 years with club option for 12th). The 21-year-old shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays is hitting .260 in 58 games.
■ Kris Bryant ($182 million, 7 years). The left fielder/dh has been limited to 29 games in his debut with the Colorado Rockies after two IL stints because of lower back issues.
■ Semien ($175 million, 7 years). After not hitting his first homer until May 28, in his 44th game with Texas, he has 10 homers his past 33 games. His 45 homers last season with Toronto set an MLB record for a second baseman.
■ Matt Olson ($168 million, 8 years). Traded from Oakland in the spring to replace the departed Freeman at first base, Olson immediately signed a long-term deal with Atlanta and is hitting .254 with 13 homers and 49 RBIS.
■ Freeman ($162 million, 6 years). A World Series champion with the Braves last season, he is hitting .304 with 11 homers and 54 RBIS in Los Angeles.
The others are Detroit shortstop Javier Baez, Boston second baseman Trevor Story, Toronto right-handers Jose Berrios and Kevin Gausman, Seattle lefty and 2021 AL Cy Young winner Robbie Ray, and shortstop Carlos Correa and center fielder Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins.