Kyle Schwarber to Open National League Lineup in All-Star Game
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber will start the National League’s lineup in Tuesday’s All-Star Game, replacing Shohei Ohtani, while several players fill in for injured starters on both leagues.
Kyle Schwarber of the host Philadelphia Phillies will lead off for the National League in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game, stepping in for designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, who is undergoing a knee procedure before the second half of the season.
The American League will see Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene and New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice and outfielder Cody Bellinger added to the starting roster due to injuries. Rice, who ranks third in the majors with 29 home runs behind Schwarber (32) and Astros’ Yordan Alvarez (31), will start at first base after Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. withdrew to rest a back problem; the Athletics’ Nick Kurtz, initially named as Guerrero’s replacement, sprained a thumb. Bellinger replaces Yankees teammate Aaron Judge, who has been sidelined since May 31 with a fractured rib, while Greene takes the spot of Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton, who is out with a hip injury.
Philadelphia left-hander Cristopher Sanchez and Toronto right-hander Dylan Cease were announced as the starting pitchers on Sunday. Sanchez becomes the 14th pitcher to start an All-Star Game in his home ballpark, the first since Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw in 2022, and the Phillies’ first All-Star starter on the mound since Roy Halladay in 2011. Cease will be the Blue Jays’ first All-Star starting pitcher since Halladay in 2009.
NL manager Dave Roberts, who leads the two-time champion Dodgers, will have three Dodgers, two Phillies and two Braves in the starting lineup. The batting order includes New York Mets left fielder Juan Soto batting second, followed by Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams, Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy, Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies, Phillies right fielder Brandon Marsh, Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages and Braves catcher Drake Baldwin.
AL manager John Schneider of the Blue Jays will have Angels center fielder Mike Trout leading off, followed by Alvarez as designated hitter, Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers, Rays third baseman Junior Caminero, Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., Bellinger, Rice, Greene and Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement.