Blue Jays' Cease named AL starter for All-Star Game

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease was named the American League's starting pitcher for the All-Star Game in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

This will be Cease's first appearance in an All-Star Game. He is also the first Blue Jays pitcher to start the Midsummer Classic since Roy Halladay in 2009.

Cease appeared to be a lock for the starting role after New York Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler decided not to pitch in the All-Star Game. Blue Jays skipper John Schneider, who is managing the AL during Tuesday's game, said he was going to start Cease regardless of Schlittler's status.

"If Cam was going to pitch, my decision was still going to be Dylan," Schneider said, according to The Athletic's Mitch Bannon.

Cease will pitch opposite Cristopher Sánchez of the Philadelphia Phillies, who will start for the NL side.

The 30-year-old Cease has been spectacular for the Blue Jays during his first season with the club, authoring a 2.56 ERA in 98 1/3 innings. He also leads the AL with 148 strikeouts.

Cease joined the Blue Jays in December on a seven-year, $210-million contract.