Tanaka, Vazquez, Woodruff added to AllStar rosters
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — New York Yankees righthander Masahiro Tanaka, Pittsburgh closer Felipe Vazquez and Milwaukee righthander Brandon Woodruff have been added to the rosters for Tuesday’s AllStar Game.
They replace Toronto’s Marcus Stroman, who has a strained pectoral muscle; Arizona pitcher Zack Greinke, who will be attending to a personal matter; and Brewers closer Josh Hader, who has back stiffness.
Tanaka was selected for the 2014 AL team but didn’t pitch because of a right elbow injury.
“It will be a great thing if I can actually pitch in the game,” Tanaka said through a translator. “When you look at your baseball career, it would be something that I can be proud of.”
A smiling Tanaka said he was surprised by the announcement.
“Everything happened so fast,” Tanaka said. “Obviously I’m very happy. This time around I get to actually go there and be part of the celebration.”
Tanaka is 55 with a 3.86 ERA in 18 starts.
Stroman, mentioned in trade speculation, was scratched from his scheduled start Thursday due to a strained left pectoral muscle.
Vazquez, who entered Saturday with 19 saves, becomes an AllStar for the second straight season.
Woodruff, a firsttime AllStar, is 103 with a 3.91 ERA.
New York Yankees infielder Gleyber Torres, Boston shortstop Xander Bogaerts, Cleveland righthander Shane Bieber, Oakland righthander Liam Hendriks, Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy and Minnesota righthander Jose Berrios were added previously.
They replace Tampa Bay righthander Charlie Morton and second baseman Brandon Lowe, Texas lefthander Mike Minor, Los Angeles Angels second baseman Tommy La Stella, Texas outfielder Hunter Pence, Minnesota righthander Jake Odorizzi and Washington third baseman Anthony Rendon.
Lowe was a replacement for La Stella.