Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras is still suspended pending appeal, but that apparently won’t stop him from appearing in baseball’s biggest summer showcase. Contreras was named to the AL All-Star team as an injury replacement for Vlad Guerrero. “As soon as I found out, I called my mom and dad because that was the first thought on my mind,” Contreras said. (Peter Abraham, Boston Globe)
In fact, not only is he going to be at the All-Star Game, he says he’s been asked to participate in the Home
Run Derby, though the selection process is not yet complete and his participation is not yet confirmed. Here’s a tracker that updates as competitors are locked in. (Dan Treacy, Sporting News)
In the meantime, he continues to mash for the Sox. “I can’t control what’s going on outside,” he says. “I know I have something pending with MLB. But like I said, whatever decision they make, I’m going to respect it. When I get here, I try to forget about everything.” (Sean McAdam, MassLive)
Despite starting the season in the minor leagues, Payton Tolle made a case to join Contreras in Philadelphia, and he might have earned a roster spot had he not pitched a dud in his final start before initial roster selections. But he bounced back big last night in Chicago. “Tolle has big talent. He’s a future ace, for sure,” Contreras said of his teammate. “That’s what I see for him. What I like the most is how he controls himself on the mound and controls his pace. For me, the sky’s the limit with that guy.” (Ian Browne, MLB.com)
While Tolle is just beginning his career, Patrick Sandoval is trying to get his going again after a lengthy injury absence. “It won’t feel real until I’m on the mound, facing a hitter again,” said Sandoval, who will return to the mound this week. “It’s probably the hardest thing, baseball-wise, that I’ve had to go through. It’s been very challenging, very humbling.” (Sean McAdam, MassLive)
Speaking of pitcher injuries, Ranger Suárez threw off of flat ground before last night’s game, as he hopes to avoid an IL stint for a strained abductor. Suarez reportedly still felt some soreness after the session, but felt better overall. (Sean McAdam, MassLive)
A Suárez injury stint would come at a horrible time for the Sox, who are finally out of last place and finally feeling good. “Every win is huge for us,” Ceddanne Rafaela said. “We have a lot more ballgames to play. I still think it’s early. I think everybody in here is thinking the same thing, that we have a lot of ballgames and we’re going to battle to win this division.” (Rob Bradford, WEEI)
