7/7 Morning Marquee: All-Star Game rosters announced

On Sunday night, the rosters for the 85th annual MLB All-Star Game were announced and the National League squad features two Chicago Cubs players – shortstop Starlin Castro and recently-traded right-hander Jeff Samardzija.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo is one of five NL players vying for a roster spot in the Final Vote run-off, a competition that allows fans to choose which player makes the team, thanks to a very strong first half in which he leads all NL first basemen with 17 home runs.

On the American League side, New York Yankees’ shortstop Derek Jeter will start his final All-Star Game after fans deemed him worthy in balloting. Samardzija, who will earn recognition but will not appear in the game, made his first start for his new team, the Oakland Athletics, allowing just one run in seven innings, leading the A’s to yet another win at home over Toronto.

In  another fairly significant trade, the Yankees acquired Arizona right-hander Brandon McCarthy in exchange for lefty Vidal Nuno – a deal that made many throughout the baseball world question the Diamondbacks’ front office.

Here’s the latest news from around the bigs.

“Strop falters as Cubs fall to Nats in series finale” – Cubbies Crib

“Final Vote underway for final roster spots” – MLB.com

“Cubs recall Parker from Triple-A Iowa” – Cubbies Crib

“Samardzija scatters four hits in victorious A’s debut” – ESPN

“Bryant, Paniagua earn player of the month honors” – Cubbies Crib