Ohtani becomes a 2-way MLB All-Star for the third year in a row

NEW YORK –

Shohei Ohtani became a two-way All-Star for the third consecutive year when he was named to the American League pitching staff on Sunday, and eight Atlanta Braves were named to the July 11 game in Seattle—the most by any team since 2012.

Ohtani was elected to the pitching staff by players 10 days after fans voted him to start as designated hitter. Ohtani appeared on the most ballots among AL players. He is the only two-way All-Star in major league history.

“He’s very respectful. He doesn’t talk very much,” Houston AL manager Dusty Baker said. “He comes to play, and he really handles the fame and the publicity with humility and grandeur.”

During the 2021 game in Denver, Ohtani grounded out against Max Scherzer and Corbin Burnes and pitched a perfect first inning, giving Fernando Tatis Jr. retired on a flyout and Max Muncy and Nolan Arenado on groundouts.

Last year at Dodger Stadium, Ohtani singled on Clayton Kershaw’s first pitch of the game and walked Joe Musgrove. Ohtani didn’t throw.

Atlanta outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., shortstop Orlando Arcia and catcher Sean Murphy were fan-selected to the National League starting lineup. They are joined by five Braves teammates voted by fellow players: starting pitchers Spencer Strider and Bryce Elder, first baseman Matt Olson, second baseman Ozzie Albies and third baseman Austin Riley.

Atlanta is a major league best 56-27 after winning 23 of the last 26 games.

“To have eight boys, it’s great,” Riley said.

The contingent includes the entire Atlanta starting field, a proud achievement for Braves coach Ron Washington.

“Washington said this is probably the most emotional day of his career because all his infielders went to the All-Star Game,” Albies said.

The previous team with eight All-Stars was the 2012 Texas Rangers. It was the first time an NL club had eight picks since the 2008 Chicago Cubs.

Atlanta is the first club with six position players since Boston in 2008.

Texas has six All-Stars this year and the Dodgers five.

Arizona rookie outfielder Corbin Carroll, a Seattle native elected to start, is the youngest All-Star at 22. Dodgers designated hitter JD Martinez is the oldest at 35.

Twenty-six players are All-Stars for the first time. Angels midfielder Mike Trout has the most All-Star selections with 11, marking his 10th trip as a starter.

Starting pitchers Zac Gallen, Kershaw and Marcus Stroman were also voted into the NL staff, along with relievers Alexis Diaz, Camilo Doval and Josh Hader.

NL reserves voted by players included catcher Will Smith, shortstop Dansby Swanson, outfielders Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Nick Castellanos, and designated hitter Jorge Soler.

MLB had six NL picks and used five for players from teams that still lacked All-Stars: pitchers Josiah Gray, Mitch Keller, Justin Steele and Devin Williams along with first baseman Pete Alonso and catcher Elias Diaz.

Starting pitchers Gerrit Cole, Nathan Eovaldi, Sonny Gray and Shane McClanahan were voted to the AL staff along with Ohtani by players. The relievers chosen by fellow players were Felix Bautista, Yennier Cano and Emmanuel Clase.

AL reserves chosen by players included catcher Adley Rutschman, first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., second baseman Whit Merrifield, shortstop Bo Bichette, third baseman Jose Ramirez and outfielders Yordan Alvarez, Adolis Garcia and Austin Hays, and designated hitter Brent Rooker .

MLB used five of the seven AL picks for players whose teams were not yet represented, selecting Luis Castillo from the host Mariners along with fellow pitchers Kevin Gausman, Kenley Jansen, Michael Lorenzen and Framber Valdez, plus catcher Salvador Perez and outfielder Luis Robert Jr.

Seattle outfielder and hometown favorite Julio Rodriguez was left out, though AL injury replacements will likely be selected for Alvarez and Aaron Judge. Rodriguez has already committed to participating in the Home Run Derby.

Other notable players who retired despite excellent numbers included Tatis, Ray’s shortstop Wander Franco and Diamondback’s second baseman Ketel Marte.

Keller, a 27-year-old Pittsburgh right-hander, became an All-Star in his fifth season. Two years ago, he pitched for Triple-A Indianapolis during the All-Star Game and last year, he was relegated to the bullpen for two weeks in May.

“For them to have the most faith in me over the last two or three years is really cool and everyone sticking with me and showing me their support and love, it’s been amazing,” Keller said of his Pirates teammates.

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AP Sports writers Schuyler Dixon, Will Graves and Charles Odum contributed to this report.