Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal received a surprising phone call from a Yankees pitcher that confirmed his selection as an All-Star Game starter.

Snubbing Fried in favor of Skubal would have been awkward, to say the least. So it was notable when Skubal revealed Sunday morning that it was Fried himself who helped smooth out the situation. Skubal said he recently received a call from Fried, who asked if he wanted to start the All-Star Game.

Tarik Skubal learned he’d start the All-Star Game from Max Fried, who called to say, “I think you deserve it.” Boone made it official a day later.