Donaldson among three Blue Jays named to MLB all-star game roster

Reigning American League MVP Josh Donaldson was among three Toronto Blue Jays named to the MLB all-star game roster on Tuesday.

Designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion will make his third all-star game appearance after a strong first half to the season while right-hander Marco Estrada was named to the team for the first time all-star after a career-best start to 2016.

Canadian outfielder Michael Saunders was one of five finalists for the all-star game final vote. Voting for those spots begin Tuesday night with the winners begin announced on Friday afternoon.

Donaldson, who was named as a reserve to the AL roster, entered Tuesday’s play hitting .298 this season with 20 home runs and 58 runs-batted in. His .411 on-base percentage ranks sixth in the MLB while his .581 slugging percentage is third in the American League.

This is Donaldson’s third-straight all-star game appearance after suiting up in a Jays uniform last season and once with the Oakland Atheltics in 2014. The 30-year-old third baseman may also be a candidate for the home run derby after participating in the event the last two years.

Manny Machado of the Baltimore Orioles was named the starting AL third baseman.

The 33-year-old Encarnacion has 22 home runs and 76 RBI to go along with a .264 batting average in 84 games. Encarnacion leads the majors in RBI and is tied for fourth in MLB home runs.

Encarnacion has previously appeared at the all-star game in 2013 and 2014 — both with the Blue Jays.

Estrada is 5-3 with a 2.93 earned-run average in 16 starts. His ERA leads all Toronto starters and is tied for third-best among AL pitchers.

Estrada’s first half was highlighted by a June 5 game against the Boston Red Sox when he took a no-hitter into the eighth inning.

Saunders, a Victoria native, is hitting .290 with 15 home runs and 38 RBI in 76 games so far this season. His .910 OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging) is second on the Blue Jays roster.

Saunders will be vying for his first all-star game appearance.

The 87th all-star game takes place on July 12 at Petco Park in San Diego.

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