TORONTO – Despite a disappointing first half of the 2013 season, the Toronto Blue Jays are still sending three players to this year’s all-star game.
Outfielder Jose Bautista, first baseman/designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion and reliever Brett Cecil will represent the Blue Jays as part of the American League team at New York’s Citi Field on July 16.
The game will mark Bautista’s fourth all-star appearance, and his third in the starting lineup. The slugger beat out Orioles right-fielder Nick Markakis for the final starting outfield spot in fan voting.
Bautista has 20 home runs and 52 RBIs in 79 games.
Encarnacion and Cecil, meanwhile, are all-stars for the first time. The 30-year-old Encarnacion has 23 home runs and 66 RBIs in 2013, while 27-year-old Cecil has had a stellar season in the bullpen after struggling in recent years as a starter.
The left-hander is 3-0 with a 1.43 earned-run average, while striking out 50 and allowing just seven earned runs through 44 innings.
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