Red Sox have a pair of All-Stars in Aroldis Chapman and Ranger Suarez
ANAHEIM, Calif. — In a year defined by the Red Sox’ late-offseason pivot to pitching (and defense), they have a rather appropriate pair of All-Stars, as announced by MLB on Saturday: starter Ranger Suarez and closer Aroldis Chapman.
Suarez, who became the Sox’ signature 2026 acquisition when he signed a five-year, $130 million contract in January, possesses a 2.94 ERA, which ranked sixth in the American League entering the weekend. This is his second All-Star selection, following his 2024 nod with the Phillies.
Chapman, who revitalized his career with the Red Sox last year and has remained elite after signing an extension last summer, is an All-Star for the ninth time. He has a 2.10 ERA despite a recent hiccup, and his 17 saves (in 19 chances) were tied with the Yankees’ David Bednar for fifth in the AL.
“Everyone knows it: I’m 38. Some might say I’m reaching the end of my career,” Chapman said through an interpreter. “So I’m just going to enjoy it and enjoy it as much as I can, because you never know if this is going to be the last one, the last time that I get selected.”
Suarez said, also through an interpreter: “Just really proud and pumped to represent Boston.”
For Suarez, who did not participate in the 2024 festivities because of a back injury, the occasion will mark his first return to Philadelphia since leaving the Phillies, the organization with which he spent 14 years.
“We all know my history there, my former team, but I think the most important thing is just — wherever it is — go there and enjoy it,” said Suarez, who was chosen by MLB. “That’s the main thing.”
Chapman tied Craig Kimbrel for second most All-Star selections for a reliever. Only Mariano Rivera (13) had more.
Being elected via the players ballot added to the honor, Chapman said.
“It’s big for me,” he said. “It’s a testament to how they recognize the amount of discipline and hard work that I’ve put in … It’s kind of them showing me my merit with how I’ve been performing over the years.”
The Red Sox also have two All-Star snubs: first baseman Willson Contreras and starter Sonny Gray — like Suarez, key offseason additions by chief baseball officer Craig Breslow.
Contreras’ 2.8 wins above replacement, as calculated by FanGraphs, is second among AL first basemen, behind only the Athletics’ Nick Kurtz. He has slashed .286/.380/.532, hit 18 home runs, and driven in 53 with 43 runs scored.
Gray has been comparable to, and maybe better than, Suarez, with a 9-1 record and a 2.69 ERA entering his outing Saturday night at the Angels.
Both can be selected as replacements when others drop out. Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., for example, immediately declined after fans voted him in as the starter. That could open a spot for Contreras, who said he was “not disappointed” to not be picked (so far).
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“I try not to build up too many expectations when it comes to the All-Star Game, but if you ask me if I feel that I’m deserving, I would tell you yes,” Contreras said through an interpreter. “I would obviously love to be on the All-Star team. It’s one of the motivations that we have in this game to play our best, and it’s something that would be an honor.”
Interim manager Chad Tracy said: “I’m still holding out hope [for] a couple more guys on our team that I feel like are deserving. No question about it.”
Contreras apologizes
After taking questions on not being an All-Star, Contreras wanted to add something: an unprompted apology for his role in the benches-clearing episodes with the Yankees and Nationals during the Sox’ most recent homestand.
Contreras began to cry as he spoke, saying it has been a “very hard, very emotional time for me.” He has been open in recent days about being affected from afar by the devastation wrought by earthquakes in Venezuela.
“Those situations could have been avoided and controlled and handled better,” he said through an interpreter. “It’s been a really tough week, emotional week for me. I hope that they understand how emotional it has been, and I’ll prove myself with my actions on the field from here moving forward and show the kind of person that I truly am.”
Contreras is appealing the seven-game suspension he got from MLB for the Nationals incident.
Roman ships out
The Red Sox are sending Roman Anthony (sprained right hand/wrist) to Florida to continue his rehab, Tracy said.
Tracy framed that decision as merely practical. With a bunch of injured players, the clubhouse has become crowded, so the Sox want to clear space. They similarly transferred a handful of hurt pitchers to Fenway South last month.
Anthony remains out indefinitely and has seen no change in his rehab progress, Tracy said.
“Just getting some bodies down there,” Tracy said. “He’s going to continue to get after it.”
Sandoval watch
In his sixth and likely final minor league rehabilitation start, lefthander Patrick Sandoval threw 68 pitches across five scoreless innings for Double-A Portland. He allowed one hit and one walk and struck out seven. Up next could be his first big league game in more than two years. “We’ll see how he feels physically and make more decisions on the rotation after,” Tracy said. “But good to see that.” … The also-rehabbing Nick Sogard (right oblique strain) returned to Portland’s lineup after a scheduled day off Friday. He played the full game at shortstop and went 0 for 2 with a walk … Tracy turned 41 on Saturday. He was born exactly 209 years after the United States declared its independence. “When I was younger, for a period of time, my mom would always tell me [regarding fireworks], ‘This is for you, we got this for you,’ ” Tracy said. “I don’t know how old I was when I finally figured out this is for America.”
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