The decision was made. Corbin Burnes would accept his fourth consecutive invitation to the All-Star Game. Hug his wife Brooke, hold his newborn twin daughters one more time and board a flight. A piece of him left behind.
With that honor, however, came his first start.
American League manager Bruce Bochy is handing the ball to Burnes Tuesday night at Globe Life Park.
Bochy considered what Burnes has done in his career, including the previous selections and a Cy Young Award with the Brewers in 2021, and the veteran’s impact on the 2024 Orioles.
“I think you have to look at his résumé, what he’s done in baseball,” Bochy said. “He’s had an incredible career. This is his fourth consecutive All-Star Game. What he’s done this year in Baltimore, you know, they’re leading their division. He’s a big reason for that.
“In my mind, it’s just his time. It’s his time to start an All-Star Game. That’s why I chose him.”
Burnes will arrive for it Tuesday. He remained at his Arizona home today, marking him absent from the press conferences.
The Orioles traded pitcher DL Hall and infielder Joey Ortiz to the Brewers on Feb. 1 for an ace who they expected to start Opening Day and Game 1 of their first playoff series. The All-Star nod is a bonus.
It became official with Burnes posting a 2.43 ERA and 1.045 WHIP in 19 starts, 15 of them quality. His batterymate is a teammate, Adley Rutschman, the first time that the Orioles had a starting pitcher and catcher in the All-Star Game.
Rutschman didn’t know about Burnes’ assignment until told by a reporter during his on-field media scrums.
“He is? That’s sick. Awesome,” Rutschman said.
“I’m super excited. That’s going to be awesome. Feel very comfortable, very at home, and yeah, that’ll be exciting.”
“That’s great,” said outfielder Anthony Santander, who earned his first All-Star selection as the injury replacement for the Astros’ Kyle Tucker. “We know what he can do on the mound and I’m so happy and excited for him. And to see some guys, you know?”
Jordan Westburg also is a first-time All-Star who was chosen late with Rafael Devers injured. He probably won’t play until Burnes leaves, but he’s happy to watch from the bench as Rutschman sets the target.
“It’s gonna be special for both of those guys,” Westburg said. “I think it’s gonna be fun. You’re gonna see some smiles for sure. Hopefully he can put up a zero and get three outs and end on a good note.”
Burnes has pitched only once out of his first three selections. He followed National League starter Max Scherzer in 2021 at Coors Field and allowed two runs in two innings. The 2022 game at Dodger Stadium passed without Burnes participating because he wanted to concentrate on getting physically right for the second half, and he was slated to start the first game out of the break. He stayed in the bullpen last year in Seattle.
He can work on five days’ rest Tuesday night and take another break before the weekend series against the Rangers in the same ballpark. Perhaps he can throw to Rutschman again.
“It’s gonna be pretty special being able to share the field with some of your teammates,” said Gunnar Henderson, the AL’s starting shortstop. “Being able to start the game is gonna be really incredible and I’m really happy for both of them. Looking forward to it.”
Burnes is the first Orioles pitcher to start since eventual Cy Young winner Steve Stone in 1980. Jim Palmer started in 1970, 1972, 1977 and 1978, Milt Pappas in 1965 and Jerry Walker in 1959.
Teammates understood the conflicted feelings with Burnes, who didn’t want to leave his family. Brooke gave him the OK, but he remained uncertain over the weekend.
“Oh my gosh, yeah. I can’t even imagine,” Rutschman said.
“You see guys who go and they’re up all night waiting forg their kid and they didn’t get any sleep at all. It’s tough. And they get the three days to come back. I know he’s been going through it. Definitely a tough decision, but I’m glad that he’s going to be out there.”
Henderson said he figured that Burnes would show up but they hadn’t talked about it.
“He just had his kids and he needed to spend as much time with them as he can, especially being newborns,” Henderson said.
Henderson is batting second Tuesday night between Steven Kwan and Juan Soto. Rutschman is batting eighth.
For the American League
Steven Kwan LF
Gunnar Henderson SS
Juan Soto RF
Aaron Judge CF
Yordan Álvarez DH
José Ramírez 3B
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B
Adley Rutschman C
Marcus Semien 2B
Corbin Burnes RHP
For the National League
Ketel Marte 2B
Shohei Ohtani DH
Trea Turner SS
Bryce Harper 1B
William Contreras C
Christian Yelich RF
Alec Bohm 3B
Teoscar Hernández CF
Jurickson Profar LF
Paul Skenes RHP
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