Red Sox slugger added to All-Star team as injury replacement

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CHICAGO — Three days after he was originally left off the roster, Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras was named an American League All-Star on Tuesday.

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Contreras replaced Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who was voted by fans as a starter but bowed out of the All-Star festivities to rest a lingering lower back injury. Nick Kurtz (Athletics) will start at first base with Contreras and Ben Rice (Yankees) will serve as reserves in the game, which will be held next Tuesday (July 14) in Philadelphia.

“It means a lot to me and my family,” said Contreras. “I’m happy that I was recognized and I can’t wait to be there with my family and brother (William, a catcher with the Milwaukee Brewers who will be part of the National League team). It will be nice.”

Contreras was sleeping early Tuesday when chief baseball officer Craig Breslow to inform him of the news.

“I thought (the call) was about the situation that I’m in (suspended for seven games and awaiting an appeal),” said Contreras chuckling. “I was like, ‘OK, let’s talk about it; let’s get it over with.’ That was my first thought. Then he told me ‘Congratulations.’ I was like, ‘For what?’ He said, ‘Oh, you didn’t know? You made the All-Star team.’ That’s how I found out.”

Entering Tuesday, Contreras ranks first among AL first basemen in average (.284), second in home runs (tied-20) and slugging percentage (.542) and third in RBIs (59) and OPS (.920). Acquired in a December trade that sent Hunter Dobbins and two minor league pitchers to St. Louis, Contreras has emerged as a middle-of-the-lineup threat for an underperforming Boston offense — and is in the midst of a career year.

Contreras is an All-Star for the fourth time in his career. He made it in back-to-back seasons with the Cubs in 2018 and 2019, then again in 2022. He’s especially proud to share the honor with his brother.

“As a kid, you have a dream, for sure,” said Contreras. “We all have dreams. We dreamed big. It’s a long way from working hard and making it happen and it dreaming it. I’m glad that I’m his older brother and growing up he saw how hard I worked and how much I care about baseball. It feels good to still be living the dream after 10 years in the big leagues. Being there with my brother — my fourth time, his third time — means a lot to my family."

Contreras has been through an emotional wringer the last 10 days, as he deals with the earthquakes that have struck his native Venezeula and the suspension from a bench-clearing brawl against Washington. Tuesday’s new was a welcome relief.

“The last couple of days I’ve been up and down with my emotions,” said Contreras. “I’m just so blessed to be part of the All-Star team in 2026.”

Contreras joins two Red Sox teammates — lefties Aroldis Chapman and Ranger Suarez — on the AL team. Suarez’s availability is somewhat in doubt because he left Sunday’s start due to a left adductor (groin) strain, though the Red Sox remain hopeful he can avoid the injured list. Righty Sonny Gray appears likely to join the AL team as a late replacement once other pitchers are ruled out due to availability.

Contreras’ availability for Boston’s final six games of the first half is in question as he is appealing the seven-game suspension MLB levied on him for his role in last Tuesday’s bench-clearing brawl involving Washington and pitcher Cade Cavalli. Contreras was originally suspended seven games but is hoping to have the length reduced via appeal. His suspension is expected to begin immediately once a decision is made; his status for the All-Star Game, however, will not be impacted either way.

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