MLB adds Contreras, O’Brien, Luzardo and Ashcraft as All‑Star replacements

Pitchers Paul Skenes, Jacob Misiorowski and Max Meyer were declared ineligible for the 2026 MLB All‑Star Game after being scheduled to start on the Sunday before the break. They were replaced on the National League roster by Riley O’Brien of the St. Louis Cardinals, left‑hander Jesús Luzardo of the Philadelphia Phillies and right‑hander Braxton Ashcraft of the Pittsburgh Pirates. All three are first‑time All‑Stars.

Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras was added to the American League roster in place of Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who sat out with a back injury. Contreras, now a four‑time All‑Star, is batting .284 with 20 home runs and 59 RBIs for Boston.

The Phillies now have six representatives at the midsummer classic, joining Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Marsh, Cristopher Sánchez and Jhoan Durán. Nick Kurtz was named the AL starter at first base, and outfielder Byron Buxton was placed on the injured list, prompting another roster tweak.

Separate news noted that Los Angeles Angels shortstop Mike Trout was activated from the injured list and cleared to participate in his 12th All‑Star Game after a three‑week recovery from a hamstring strain. Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski expressed disappointment at being omitted from the NL roster despite a strong season.