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Four First-Time All-Stars Named as Injury Replacements

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Four first-time All-Stars were named Friday as injury replacements for Tuesday's Midsummer Classic at Citizens Bank Park. Iván Herrera of the St. Louis Cardinals will replace Shohei Ohtani on the National League roster after the Dodgers two-way star had fluid drained from his left knee. The 26-year-old Panamanian catcher, signed as a 16-year-old undrafted free agent in 2016, entered Friday batting .249 with 11 homers, 40 RBIs and a .780 OPS while leading the majors with 24 hit-by-pitches. He joins teammates Jordan Walker and Riley O'Brien as first-time selections.

In the American League, Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox replaces Minnesota's Byron Buxton (right hip impingement) and will also compete in the Home Run Derby. The Japanese rookie returned Friday from a strained right hamstring and is hitting .240 with 20 homers and 41 RBIs. Nick Martinez of the Tampa Bay Rays takes the spot of Boston's Ranger Suárez (strained left groin), carrying a 2.61 ERA — ninth-lowest among qualified pitchers — with three or fewer runs allowed in 16 of 17 starts. Ceddanne Rafaela of the Red Sox fills in for Aaron Judge, who hasn't played since late May due to a rib stress fracture; Rafaela is hitting a career-best .286 with eight homers, 39 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.

The replacements underscore how injuries have reshaped both rosters, but each addition brings legitimate production. Herrera's durability behind the plate, Martinez's consistency on the mound, and Murakami's raw power give the exhibition genuine stakes beyond the marquee names missing.