Phillies news and rumors 6/5: Why Craig Kimbrel could be an All-Star in 2023

Craig Kimbrel earned his 400th save in a game against the Braves on May 26. (Cheryl Pursell)

MLB All-Star balloting kicked off this week and there are no obvious candidates for the Phillies. It’s an indictment of just how disappointing the core of veteran players have been through the first two months of the season.

Nick Castellanos, Brandon Marsh and maybe even José Alvarado should get some consideration as reserves.

Things can change between now and the All-Star break, but there’s one surprising candidate that could get a nod.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the commissioner’s office is considering inviting both Kenley Jansen and Craig Kimbrel to play in the All-Star game to honor both closers reaching the 400-save mark this season.

The new basic agreement between the league and players association now allows the commissioner to “add one (1) player (or more than one (1) player if special circumstances warrant) to each League’s roster, in recognition of the player’s career accomplishments.”

Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera were invited to last year’s All-Star Game in Los Angeles thanks to the new rule. Pujols and Cabrera, two future Hall of Famers, both reached significant milestones in 2022. Cabrera reached 3,000 hits in April 2022 while Pujols chased down 700 home runs a couple months after the All-Star game in September. Pujols retired after the season while Cabrera is expected to retire at the end of 2023.

Nightengale also reported that the league is expected to add Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainright to the National League All-Star roster. The 18-year veteran will retire at the end of this season.

Kimbrel’s 5.32 ERA indicates that he’s having a poor season, but the number is misleading. Seven of his 13 earned runs were allowed in a span of two games. Two-thirds of his outings have been of the scoreless variety and he has a 1.80 ERA over his last 10 games. His fastball velocity is up to around 96 and he’s been a reliable ninth-inning option for the Phillies.

If the commissioner’s office does appoint Kimbrel, an eight-time All-Star, to the Midsummer Classic, he’ll be joined by manager Rob Thomson and the rest of the Phillies coaching staff. Thomson has earned the honor of managing the National League All-Star team thanks to the Phillies being the reigning National League champions.

Must Read (Or Watch) Phillies Content

Want to meet Shane Victorino this weekend at Xfinity Live? Find out how you can win tickets to the Barkann Healing Hearts Foundation’s Tito’s Tiki Tailgate with Shane by visiting our Facebook page.
Tim Kelly breaks down the trade that sent Gregory Soto and Kody Clemens to Philadelphia.

The Phillies won a laugher yesterday against the Nationals thanks to a pair of homers from Kyle Schwarber and Drew Ellis.
Scott Lauber spoke with Aaron Nola on how he’s trying to improve his pitches after a rough start to the season.

Former Phillies Nation

Miami Marlins general manager Kim Ng was asked if Sixto Sánchez could pitch this season, telling reporters: “Hard to say. He’s really going to dictate that. We can sit here and hope and wish, but it’s really him and where he is. That’s going to be the determining factor.”