Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Nick Martinez, Boston Red Sox outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela, and Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami were named to the American League All-Star roster Friday as injury replacements.
Martinez replaces Red Sox left-hander Ranger Suarez, Rafaela took New York Yankees star Aaron Judge's roster spot, and Murakami slots in for Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton. Both Judge and Buxton had been voted into the AL's starting lineup by fans.
All three players will be making their first career All-Star appearances.
Martinez, 35, has been dominant despite sporting a 5.1 K/9 rate and an average fastball velocity that ranks in the 23rd percentile. In 17 starts for the Rays, he owns a career-best 2.61 ERA along with a 1.13 WHIP and just 18 walks in 100 innings.
The nine-year MLB veteran gives the AL-best Rays five All-Stars on this year's squad, including starting third baseman Junior Caminero.
Rafaela is in the midst of a breakout offensive season, hitting a career-best .283/.330/.438 with eight homers, 39 RBIs, and 12 steals across 353 plate appearances. The 25-year-old has also continued to play Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field, tallying 15 defensive runs saved and 11 outs above average with the glove - both tops at his position in the AL.
Rafaela is the fourth Red Sox player to be named a 2026 All-Star, joining Willson Contreras, Aroldis Chapman, and the injured Suarez.
Murakami, who is also participating in the Home Run Derby, made a massive impact on the surprising White Sox before a hamstring injury halted his rookie season on May 29. The 26-year-old hit .240/.378/.560 with 20 homers and 41 RBIs over his first 57 big-league games prior to his injury. He returned to the White Sox lineup Friday.
Murakami joins third baseman Miguel Vargas as one of two White Sox representatives at this year's Midsummer Classic.
The 96th MLB All-Star Game will be played Tuesday in Philadelphia.
