The Midsummer Classic is around the corner. And as always, the buzz is heating up not just for who made the initial cut, but for who is stepping in as a replacement. Every year, the MLB All-Star rosters see a few last-minute shakeups with some stars sidelined by injury, and others ineligible to pitch due to their spot in the rotation. And when the door closes for some, it opens wide for others.
This year, those replacement announcements have done more than just fill gaps. They’ve opened the floodgates for fresh faces and long-overdue recognition. A few new names are getting their shot under the bright lights, proving that sometimes, the biggest All-Star stories come from those who weren’t on the original list. Let’s dive into which are the replacement names for traveling to Atlanta.
Starting with the biggest name that got replaced: Alex Bregman. Bregman has been sidelined with a quad strain since late May, and he is on his way to return after the All-Star break. Reportedly, stepping into his shoes is the Rays’ slugger Junior Caminero.
In his first 86 games this year, Caminero put up 21 home runs, 19 doubles, and 57 RBIs. And what’s more, he’s just one double away from making franchise history as the first player to notch 20 doubles and 20 homers before the MLB All-Star break. Now, after being named for the All-Star game, Caminero will represent the team at the Midsummer Classic in Atlanta. He will join teammates Jonathan Aranda and Brandon Lowe.
Junior Caminero is a first-time All-Star!
He replaces Alex Bregman on the AL’s active roster. pic.twitter.com/lLe7K7l2HR
— MLB (@MLB) July 9, 2025
“Tremendous thing. I thank God for the opportunity,” Caminero said after his All-Star selection. “The hard work that I’ve been putting in is paying off.” Expected a reaction from a first-timer, and that too getting named as a replacement. While the Rays’ recent slump is a concern with eight losses in their last 11 games, Caminero’s selection will bring a breath of fresh air to the team.
The next in line is the Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott, who is replacing Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Andrew Abbott is stepping in for Yamamoto on the NL All-Star roster since the latter is set to pitch on Sunday for the Dodgers and won’t be eligible for Tuesday’s game. Now, Abbott will join his Reds teammate Elly De La Cruz in representing the NL. But is he eligible to replace Yamamoto?
Well, it’s Abbott’s first All-Star nod, and he’s earned it. Currently, Abbott is standing 7-1 with a 2.15 ERA over 15 starts. Moreover, the Reds are 11-4 when he takes the mound, compared to 35-40 when he doesn’t. That shows what Abbot means for the team and why he could be a valuable addition to the NL.
The All-Star selection of Abbott also brings some good news for the team. Incidentally, the Reds just faced their fourth straight loss and the latest 12-2 routing by the Marlins. Hence, Abbott’s selection brought something to cheer about.
The last replacement name until now is Robert Suarez, who is replacing Chris Sale.
Reportedly, Suarez is heading to the All-Star Game for the second straight year after earning a spot in 2024. And this year, he is one of the most dominant relievers in the league. For the unversed, through 40 outings, Suarez posted a 3.82 ERA with 40 strikeouts. And not to forget, a league-leading 25 saves for the Padres. Meanwhile, Chris Sale won’t be participating as he’s sidelined with a fractured ribcage and is uncertain about his return to the field.
The replacements announced are all in hot form this year, and hopefully, they will fill the shoes perfectly of the first choices they are replacing. However, it is expected that a few more replacements might be announced. Keep an eye on this space as we bring regular updates for the 2025 MLB All-Star game.
The post MLB All Star 2025: From Alex Bregman to Chris Sale, a Look at All Replacements Ahead of All-Star Week appeared first on EssentiallySports.
