Guardians 3B Jose Ramirez pulls out of All-Star Game

Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez on Wednesday pulled out of next week’s All-Star Game, set for Tuesday in Atlanta.
Ramirez opted out of the contest “to focus on recovery and preparation for the second half of the season,” according to the Guardians. Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes was tabbed to replace him.
Ramirez became a seven-time All-Star when he was voted to start this season’s game for the American League. The 32-year-old is batting .299 with 16 homers, 44 RBIs and 24 steals in 87 games.
Paredes has 19 homers and 49 RBIs in his first season with the Astros. He is batting .255 in 88 games.
This is Paredes’ second All-Star nod. He also made the team in 2024 for the Tampa Bay Rays.
That’s not the American League’s first roster move at third base. The Boston Red Sox’s Alex Bregman (quadriceps) pulled out earlier this week. He was replaced by Rays rookie Junior Caminero, who’s batting .252 with 21 homers and 57 RBIs in 86 games.
Caminero said Wednesday he will take part in Monday’s Home Run Derby. He is the sixth contestant, joining Ronald Acuna Jr. of the Atlanta Braves, Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners, James Wood of the Washington Nationals, Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins and Oneil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“I’m going to put on a show. I’m going to try to put on a show just to give the fans the opportunity to get to know me, see my power,” Caminero said before Wednesday’s game against the host Detroit Tigers. “Just being there with all those other All-Stars, it’s going to be something very special.”
Tigers infielder Zach McKinstry was added to the AL team to replace Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (ribs). McKinstry is batting .284 with seven homers and 28 RBIs in 85 games.
Milwaukee Brewers right-handed closer Trevor Megill was added to the National League roster to replace right-handed teammate Freddy Peralta. Megill is 2-2 with a 2.41 ERA and 21 saves in 36 appearances.
“This is what I was striving for,” Megill said of the All-Star bid after Wednesday’s win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. “I put in a lot of hard work.”
Cincinnati Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott (7-1, 2.15 ERA) also was added to the team because Dodgers left-hander Yoshinobu is slated to start on Sunday.
San Diego Padres right-hander (2-4, 3.72 ERA, 26 saves) was added to replace Braves left-hander Chris Sale (rib).