Through 96 games, the Toronto Blue Jays (45-51) have had a lot go wrong.

The team has suffered a multitude of seriously hampering injuries, which has whittled away at the group's power, pitching staff and overall depth.

It's also dealt with underperformance from its stars, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who has only six home runs at the break.

But despite those frustrations, there have been some clear wins as well: The signing of Kazuma Okamoto has been excellent, and he's in the mix for the American League Rookie of the Year. But more under the radar than that has been the Rule-5 Draft selection of right-handed pitcher Spencer Miles.

Miles, 25, was taken in the fourth round of the 2022 MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants. Because of injuries, he had pitched in only 10 minor league games in four seasons, totaling only 14.2 innings.

Because of the way the Rule-5 Draft works, Miles has to stay on the Jays roster for the entirety of the season (as long as healthy), or be offered back to San Francisco. Given the nature of his minor league career, there was no way to know how he'd respond to being on a big league roster - especially one with World Series aspirations. And, could he handle the workload or would he tire out? 

Well, so far, he's responded excellently. At the All-Star Break, Miles is 4-1 with a 2.85 ERA. He's appeared in 26 games, starting three, helping to keep the pitching staff together in the face of all the injuries. He's thrown 60 innings, striking out 57 batters and showing velocity in the mid-to-upper 90s.

He still has to show that he belongs in the big leagues for the rest of the season, or the Jays risk losing him, but so far, he's done his part - and then some.

Both Dylan Cease (pitcher) and Ernie Clement (second base) will start Tuesday night's All-Star Game for the American League while Louis Varland comes out of the bullpen. As noted by manager John Schneider's lineup, released on Monday, Clement will hit ninth behind Riley Greene of the Detroit Tigers. 

Cease will become the fourth Blue Jays pitcher ever to start the All-Star Game, joining Dave Stieb, David Wells and Roy Halladay.

Cease will be opposed by left-hander Cristopher Sanchez, who will start for the National League. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts gave him that honor in his home ballpark.

First pitch is 8 p.m. ET.

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