D-backs’ Zack Greinke named as replacement for MLB All-Star Game

Jul 12, 2018, 10:02 AM | Updated: 12:05 pm

Arizona Diamondbacks' Zack Greinke delivers a pitch during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, June 28, 2018, in Miami. The Diamondbacks defeated the Marlins 4-0. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

BY ARIZONA SPORTS

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Greinke was named as a replacement attendee for the 2018 MLB All-Star Game, the team announced Thursday.

Greinke will replace Chicago Cubs starter Jon Lester, who won’t pitch in the game after his team pushed his next start back to Sunday, making him unavailable for the Tuesday All-Star game.

“It’s exciting,” Greinke said. “You guys saw me pitch in spring training, I didn’t know if I was going to get any outs this year.

“To end up doing as good as it has been so far, it’s been exciting.”

The 34-year-old Greinke has gone 9-5 with a 3.39 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 19 starts this season.

The outing will be the right-hander’s four All-Star appearance and second as a Diamondback. He made the game in 2009 for the Kansas City Royals, in 2014 and 2015 for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and last year for the D-backs.

Greinke joins first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and fellow starting pitcher Patrick Corbin on the NL All-Star roster.

Including a series finale against Colorado on Thursday, Arizona has four more games before the All-Star break, and Greinke will start the second-to-last of those games on Saturday at the Atlanta Braves.

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Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt watches his solo home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher German Marquez during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Shelby Miller watches a throw to a Colorado Rockies batter during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher German Marquez heads to the dugout after retiring Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta for the final out in the top of the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Nolan Arenado watches his RBI-single off Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Shelby Miller during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Ian Desmond follows through on a three-run home run off Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Shelby Miller during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Ian Desmond gestures as he crosses home plate after hitting a three-run home run off Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Shelby Miller during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Shelby Miller waits for a new ball after giving up a three-run home run to Colorado Rockies' Ian Desmond during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Ian Desmond, center, is congratulated by teammates as he returns to the dugout after hitting a three-run home run off Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Shelby Miller during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Ian Desmond follows through on a two-run single off Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Jorge De La Rosa during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Home plate umpire Chad Whitson, left, confers with Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo after Whitson called a balk on relief pitcher Jorge De La Rosa, scoring Colorado Rockies' Gerardo Perra in the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks pitching coach Mike Butcher, left, confers with relief pitcher Jorge De La Rosa, who was called for a balk in the second inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks pitching coach Mike Butcher, left, and manager Torey Lovullo watch as relief pitcher Jorge De La Rosa struggles while facing Colorado Rockies' Gerardo Parra during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

A lone fan is silhouetted in the club level of Coors Field as the setting sun illuminates a bank of clouds as the Colorado Rockies bat against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Charlie Blackmon watches his two-run home run off Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Jorge De La Rosa during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Jorge De La Rosa, front, catches a new ball as Colorado Rockies' DJ LeMahieu heads home to score on a two-run home run hit by Charlie Blackmon during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez gestures as he crosses home plate after hitting a solo home run off Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Jorge De La Rosa during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in Denver. Arizona catcher Alex Avila is in back. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano watches a throw to a Colorado Rockies batter during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano waits to be pulled from the mound after giving up an RBI-single to Colorado Rockies' Charlie Blackmon during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks infielder-turned-relief-pitcher Daniel Descalso calls for a new ball after giving up a three-run home run to Colorado Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Daniel Descalso works as a relief pitcher in the fourth inning of the team's baseball game against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt swings for a solo home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher German Marquez during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela watches the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Randall Delgado wipes his brow as temperatures soar near the century mark as the Diamondbacks warmed for a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, July 11, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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