Robert Suarez has earned a spot in the National League All-Star team as an injury replacement for Braves pitcher Chris Sale, highlighting his impressive performance as he sits at the top of the saves leaderboard. This announcement was made on Tuesday, bringing the total number of Padres representatives to four, including two players from a bullpen that ranks fourth in the majors for earned run average (ERA).
Padres manager Mike Shildt expressed his confidence in his team, stating that any of the four bullpen pitchers could justifiably be selected for the All-Star Game. The recognition for Suarez is particularly significant, given that he has recorded 25 saves this season, tying him for the most in Major League Baseball alongside former Padres closer Josh Hader, and surpassing the next closest closer in the National League by five saves.
Despite some recent struggles, where Suarez’s ERA spiked to 3.82 from a stellar 1.78 on June 9 due to a few tough outings, his performance over the season still marks him as a standout player. This will be Suarez’s second time attending the All-Star Game, where he will join fellow teammates Jason Adam, Manny Machado, and Fernando Tatis Jr. for the event in Atlanta.
The inclusion of Suarez not only emphasizes his individual achievements but also showcases the collective strength of the Padres’ bullpen, which has played a crucial role in their competitiveness this season.