Boston Red Sox ace Jon Lester was selected to the American League All-Star Game roster as a manager’s selection, the league announced Sunday evening.
Lester was the only member of the Red Sox to be named to the AL team, but he likely will be joined by closer Koji Uehara. Uehara, who boasts a 1.30 ERA in 40 appearances this season, would be added to the roster by manager John Farrell as an injury replacement.
This marks the third time that Lester has been selected as an All-Star, having represented the AL in both 2010 and 2011.
“I’m obviously honored,” Lester said, via MLB.com. “It’s a big honor to represent the Red Sox and get to go to the All-Star Game and get to play a game with a lot of the great players in the game, and I’m fortunate enough to be a part of it.”
The southpaw is in the midst of a career year, posting a 2.73 ERA in 18 starts while racking up 122 strikeouts and allowing just 29 walks. Lester has been especially hot of late, as he is 3-0 with a 0.96 ERA over his last five starts.
“Jon Lester and Koji have pitched All-Star-caliber baseball this entire first half of the season,” Farrell said after the rosters were announced. “You look at what Jon’s been able to do in terms of where he stacks up with other starters, (he’s) in the top five or top six in most pitching categories. He has earned the selection.”
