MLB announced a pair of injury replacements for the American League in the 2026 All-Star Game on Friday. <\/p>\n
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge and Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Ranger Suarez were replaced by Red Sox outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela and Tampa Bay Rays starter Nick Martinez.<\/p>\n
Judge is currently dealing with a fractured rib<\/a>, while Suarez was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a groin strain<\/a> on Thursday.<\/p>\n Suarez was disappointed that he couldn’t be part of the All-Star festivities, but acknowledged that his long-term health was more important.<\/p>\n “Obviously it doesn’t feel great [to miss the All-Star Game],” Suarez said, per MLB.com’s\u00a0Ian Browne<\/a>. “I’m obviously sad. I wanted to be able to go there, and represent my team, and also enjoy the moment. But I think the best thing for me is to take care of my body and that’s what I’m going to do.”<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Judge hasn’t appeared in a game since May 31 and will undergo\u00a0testing<\/a>\u00a0on his rib during the All-Star break.<\/p>\n As for Rafaela, he’ll earn the first All-Star nod of his career.<\/p>\n He’s amassed eight home runs, 21 doubles and 39 RBI while hitting .283 in 87 games this season. Rafaela has also remained a strong defender after earning Gold Glove recognition in 2025.<\/p>\n