The first thing Felipe Vazquez did when he found out he was a late pick for the All-Star Game was call Seven Springs.
Because he wasn’t picked initially, he had planned to take several family members for a getaway.
“When Clint (Hurdle) told me, I had to cancel everything,” he said.
Now, it’s just a matter of turning the SUV northwest and take everyone to Cleveland with him.
“It’s a lot of people,” he said. “Four kids, three adults. It will be a little noisy in the car, but I’ll take it.”
It turned out to be a birthday present a day late — he turned 28 Friday — but he’s happy to join teammate Josh Bell on the National League team.
“My first year (2018), I didn’t have a roommate. It was kind of awkward. This year, I have Josh. Maybe I’ll hand him a Gatorade or something. I’ll be there for him.”
The National League announced Vazquez will take the roster spot of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Zack Greinke, who pitched Friday and won’t be available for Tuesday’s All-Star Game.
Vazquez has recorded 19 saves in 20 opportunities this season, with a career-best 14.4 strikeouts per nine innings (59 in 37 innings).
MLB also added New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka to replace the Toronto Blue Jays’ Marcus Stroman (left shoulder discomfort).
The Milwaukee Brewers’ Brandon Woodruff was added as a replacement for teammate Josh Hader (back).
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Sonny Gray replaced Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer, who pitched Saturday.
