Padres Huston Street Added To NL Roster For All-Game

Jun 30, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Huston Street (16) makes his entrance in the ninth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

When the National League All-Star selections were made last week and Padres’ closer Huston Street was left off the team, there were a lot of groans coming from San Diego fans and rightfully so. Take nothing away from starter Tyson Ross who was the lone selection for the Padres’,  Street has been arguably the best closer in baseball this past season posting a 1-0 record with a 1.05 ERA and converting 24 saves in 25 opportunities, but there has been stretches when he won’t see the ball because of the Padres inability to score runs.

However, it was announced earlier today that Street will replace Ross on the NL Squad for this Tuesday’s All-Star game. Ross’ Sunday start against the Dodgers makes him ineligible for the mid-summer classic, and with the All-Star Game determining home field advantage for the World Series, it important to ensure there are viable arms.

According to Corey Brock of Padres.com,  Ross will still attend the game with family and take part in the pregame festivities and ceremonies and will also be introduced before the game, but his spot on the roster will be filled by Street. Street has the highest save percentage of any big league closer (95.2) since the start of 2012, as he has converted 80 of 84 saves in that stretch.

This is going to be Street’s second All-Star game appearance when he made it back in 2012 for the first time as the Padres closer. Despite not getting into the game that year, the chance for him to participate on Tuesday night could be determined if the game is close or heads into extra innings. Historically, it seems All-Star managers tend to go with the most familiar, so look for St. Louis Manager Mike Matheny to use his closer Trevor Rosenthal or Atlanta’s Craig Kimbrel to man the eighth and ninth innings.

Whatever happens on Tuesday, Street’s addition to the National League roster is justifiable and well-earned.