San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez has now been named to the National League All-Star team, serving as a replacement for the injured Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves.

At least that’s how Cubs manager Craig Counsell sees it. The 34-year-old left-handed Cubs pitcher was named to the National League All-Star team on Sunday and joins outfielders Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker, who were announced as starters on Wednesday.

DOUBLES_Alonso, New York, 25; Chourio, Milwaukee, 24; F.Freeman, Los Angeles, 23; Olson, Atlanta, 23; Castellanos, Philadelphia, 22; Donovan, St. Louis, 22; Suzuki, Chicago, 22; Wills.Contreras, St. Louis, 21; Machado, San Diego, 21; Crow-Armstrong, Chicago, 20; L.Gurriel, Arizona, 20; Wagaman, Miami, 20.

Former Cincinnati Reds closer Alexis Diaz is being called up by the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. The Reds traded Diaz to the Dodgers in May for minor league pitcher Mike Villani.

The National League dates to 1876, the oldest surviving professional sports league in the world, according to MLB historian John Thorn. The American League dates to 1901.

“I feel that the National League should now be part of the Football League, 100 per cent. In my opinion, it is a third division.” Torquay United manager Gary Johnson might have a point.

Not surprisingly, the National League’s designated hitters have outperformed pitchers at the plate, but lineups are still lagging behind their historical peers by a wide margin, resulting in the ...

Relegated Carlisle United and Morecambe are at Woking and Boston at the start of the National League season, while promoted Truro go to Wealdstone.