TORONTO

Jays pitcher Ricky Romero named to AL all-star roster

The Canadian Press Published Sunday, July 10, 2011 5:29PM EDT

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Ricky Romero throw the first pitch of the season during first inning AL action in Toronto on Friday, April 1, 2011.

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TORONTO - Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Ricky Romero is headed to baseball's all-star game.

The Toronto left-hander was named Sunday as a replacement on the AL squad for Jon Lester of the Boston Red Sox.

Lester had been the replacement for Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez, who was made ineligible after pitching Sunday.

The all-star game is slated for Tuesday night in Phoenix.

Lester was the next highest ranked pitcher, but because he is currently on the disabled list, Romero was added to the roster. He's the second Blue Jay to join the team after home-runs leader Jose Bautista was named a starter.

Romero, 26, is an all-star for the first time in his three-year career. He's 7-8 with a 3.09 earned-run average and 101 strikeouts in his 18 starts this season. He has three complete games, including one shutout.