Yankees' Cam Schlittler on pitching in All-Star Game: 'If they need me, then I'll throw'
Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler follows through against the Detroit Tigers during the fourth inning of an MLB game at Yankee Stadium on June 30. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said early Sunday that Cam Schlittler was not planning to pitch in the All-Star Game, though hours later it seemed the righthander could be available after all.
With less than 72 hours left before the game, there was no replacement planned for the AL roster if Schlittler wasn't going to pitch.
“The staff's had a lot of injuries this year ... I don't want to put that risk in there of kind of letting the team down,” Schlittler said after the Yankees' 5-3 win at Washington Sunday. “I'm on the roster, and if they need me I'll throw. That's a conversation I'll have within the next day or two.”
Schlittler was a candidate to start, boasting an AL-leading ERA of 2.05. He pitched for the Yankees in Saturday's 4-2 in over the Nationals, taking a no-decision while allowing two runs over 6 2/3 innings.
The Blue Jays' Dylan Cease was named the American League starting pitcher, though Schlittler said that wasn't a factor.
"Congrats to Dylan. He's been great this year. He deserves that," Schlittler said. "But that decision had nothing to do with my decision."
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