Teheran ready to face White Sox, go to ASG

CHICAGO -- On Thursday, two days after learning he'd been selected to this year's National League All-Star team, Julio Teheran rejoined his Braves teammates at Wrigley Field and showed no ill effects of the infection in his right thigh that had forced him to return to Atlanta earlier this week.
After completing a pain-free side session, Teheran was confident that he will make Saturday's start against the White Sox and then possibly be available to pitch in Tuesday's All-Star Game at Petco Park in San Diego.
"Hopefully, if I pitch Saturday, I'll be ready for the All-Star Game," Teheran said. "The team and I are going to decide. It depends on how many pitches I throw on Saturday. But the most important thing is to pitch for the Braves, and then we'll see if I can pitch on Tuesday."
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Manager Brian Snitker will wait until Friday to make a final decision regarding Teheran's status for Saturday, but he indicated that he likely saw all that he needed to see when Teheran returned to the dugout smiling after Thursday's side session.
"It's really good to see him back," Snitker said. "I couldn't wait to congratulate him [on the All-Star selection] in person. Then to see him running around and throwing the ball around, I think it was good for him, too. So hopefully, everything will stay on track for him to pitch on Saturday."
Teheran's initial response to earning his second All-Star selection was tempered by the fact that he learned of it at home recovering from treatment for the infection, which became uncomfortable during Sunday's off-field activities prior to the Fort Bragg Game.
By the time the Braves arrived in Philadelphia during the wee hours of Monday morning, Teheran felt the discomfort in a significant portion of his thigh, causing him to walk with a noticeable limp. He was sent to Atlanta a few hours later to undergo treatment, which included various antibiotic injections.
"I've never gotten that many shots in my life," he said. "I don't know how I got [the infection], but I'm glad we got it before it got worse."
Teheran received some topical treatment for an infected ingrown hair last week and felt some discomfort as he allowed a season-high 11 hits and five runs over 6 2/3 innings against the Marlins on Friday. But he now appears positioned to enjoy all of the All-Star festivities.
Because Teheran would be starting on Saturday, he would be eligible to pitch in Tuesday's Midsummer Classic. But his availability will be influenced by how he feels after exiting the start against the White Sox.
"I'm happy to be back [as an All-Star]," Teheran said. "Last year I couldn't make it because I was struggling, but I'm glad to be back at that game. Whenever you make it the first time, you just want to keep being an All-Star."
Fans can vote for the 2016 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote until 4 p.m. ET on Friday. The winners, as chosen exclusively by online fan voting totals, will be announced during a Final Vote-themed telecast of "MLB Now" featuring commentary from political analyst Jeff Greenfield, live on MLB Network and MLB.com from 4-5 p.m. ET. MLB Network will provide extensive coverage across all of its studio programming during the Final Vote, including interviews with the candidates, frequent updates, heat maps indicating the cities where votes are being cast for each candidate, news on player and club campaigns and a running countdown clock leading up to the announcement.
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On Tuesday, July 12, watch the 2016 All-Star Game presented by MasterCard live on FOX, and during the game visit MLB.com to submit your choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2016 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote. The 87th All-Star Game, in San Diego, will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB.com, MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.