Ned Yost: Chris Sale Will Only Pitch In Case Of Emergency In All-Star Game
(CBS) After much conversation about whether to use White Sox ace Chris Sale in the All-Star Game, it appears he's now unlikely to pitch when his American League squad faces the National League on Tuesday evening at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.
Sale will only pitch in case of an emergency, Royals and AL manager Ned Yost told the Kansas City Star's Andy McCullough. That would seem to indicate he'll only be used if the game goes into extra innings.
This news comes after several days of debate over whether Sale should pitch after throwing 115 pitches in a win Saturday against the Cubs and carrying a big load for the White Sox in the first half of the season. On Sunday, White Sox manager Robin Ventura expressed his preference that Sale doesn't appear in the game, a belief pitching coach Don Cooper shared as well.
Sale has thrown at least 108 pitches in each of his past 13 starts and reached the 115-pitch mark five times in his past nine starts.
"I also want him to pitch for us for the rest of the year, too," Ventura said Sunday.
Ventura and Yost then spoke at a later time, with Yost indicating Monday morning that the two came to an agreement that Sale would pitch one inning. Now, though, Sale will be a last-case resort for the AL.
At 8-4 with a 2.72 ERA and 157 strikeouts, Sale was a candidate to start the All-Star Game for the AL before his Saturday start dictated otherwise. Dallas Keuchel of the Astros will start for the AL, while Zack Greinke of the Dodgers takes the mound for the NL.
Sale has said he "would like to" pitch in the All-Star Game but understands if Ventura and Yost decided it was best for him not to. Sale is the White Sox's lone representative in the game.
In other news, Cubs rookie Kris Bryant told reporters he could be used in the outfield Tuesday night instead of his usual third-base spot. Bryant has made a few appearances in the outfield for the Cubs this season, so he's familiar with the territory. Some believe that's where his long-term future lies as well.
