Ohtani elected to start at DH in 4th consecutive All-Star Game, joins Judge as only holdover

NEW YORK – Shohei Ohtani became the first player elected to start at designated hitter in four consecutive All-Star Games, joined by New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge as the only remaining players in the lineups announced Wednesday for the 16th game. July in Arlington, Texas.

Philadelphia could have three of the four National League outfielders after fans voted for shortstop Trea Turner and third baseman Alec Bohm to start alongside first baseman Bryce Harper, whose status is uncertain due to a leg injury.

Major League Baseball said this is the first time each league has had no more than one repeat player as an elected starter since fan voting resumed in 1970.

Six teams have two starters each: Yankees outfielder Juan Soto was elected alongside Judge, who won his spot last week with Harper as the top vote-getter in the first round of voting. The second round ran from Sunday to Wednesday.

Baltimore catcher Adley Rutschman and shortstop Gunnar Henderson were elected along with Houston second baseman Jose Altuve and DH Yordan Alvarez; Cleveland third baseman José Ramírez and outfielder Steven Kwan; San Diego outfielders Jurickson Profar and Fernando Tatis Jr.; and Milwaukee catcher William Contreras and outfielder Christian Yelich.

Toronto first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte were also voted in.

Philadelphia last had three infielders drafted in 1982 with Pete Rose, Mike Schmidt and Manny Trillo. Harper went on the injured list on June 28 because of a strained left hamstring but could return before the All-Star Game.

Tatis hasn’t played since June 21 because of a stress reaction in his right hamstring and could be sidelined after the All-Star break.

Pitchers and reserves will be announced on Sunday.

Ohtani is an All-Star for the fourth consecutive season, but for the first time since leaving the Los Angeles Angels for a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers. He was an unprecedented two-way All-Star from 2021-23, but is not pitching this season as he recovers from reconstructive elbow surgery.

David Ortiz started at DH in three consecutive All-Star Games from 2011-13.

Altuve earned his ninth All-Star trip and sixth as a starter, Ramírez his sixth selection and third as a starter and Guerrero his fourth overall and third as a starter.

Alvarez, Bohm, Contreras, Henderson, Kwan, Profar, Rutschman and Soto are among the starting eight for the first time. Soto is making his fourth All-Star trip, his first with the AL.

No players were selected to start for the host Rangers, who had four starters in last year’s game in Seattle: second baseman Marcus Semien, shortstop Corey Seager, third baseman Josh Jung and catcher Jonah Heim.

Profar became an All-Star for the first time in his 11th major league season. He remained on the free agent market until a week into spring training before agreeing to a one-year, $1 million contract with the Padres.

In the closest poll in the NL, Tatis (15.36%) edged out the Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández (15.26%) and the Phillies’ Brandon Marsh (14.73%) for the third outfield spot. Turner defeated injured Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts 51-49%.

In the AL, Alvarez beat Baltimore’s Ryan O’Hearn 52-48% at DH and Kwan beat the Orioles’ Anthony Santander 28-26% for the final outfield spot.

During the first round of voting, June 5-27, Guerrero was behind Baltimore’s Ryan Mountcastle, Hernández bested Tatis and Betts was ahead of Turner.