WASHINGTON -- Right-hander Kyle Finnegan was named to his first All-Star Game on Monday, taking the active spot of fellow reliever Ryan Helsley on the National League roster.

Finnegan joins shortstop CJ Abrams to represent the Nationals in Arlington on Tuesday.

This is another chapter in the story of Finnegan, who made his Major League debut on July 25, 2020, when he was 28 years old. From there, he has emerged as a reliable reliever for the Nationals.

In the first half of the season, Finnegan ranked second in saves among all NL relievers (25 out of 29 opportunities). He posted a 2.45 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP and a .190 opponents’ batting average in 40 1/3 innings. Finnegan delivered 11 no-hit frames from April 13-May 8, recording the second-longest hitless streak in team history (2005-present). Only Max Scherzer had a longer streak as a member of the Nationals in 2015 (16 innings, June 14-26). During that stretch, Finnegan was 8-for-8 in save opportunities while holding opponents 0-for-32 with 11 strikeouts and three walks.

Finnegan pitched in the Athletics' Minor League system from 2013-19. He signed with the Nationals as a free agent in December of 2019, and he made the Opening Day roster in '20. His 75 career saves already are tied for third-most in club history.

The Nationals expressed their support for Finnegan when the original rosters were announced.

“Finnegan, I really thought he deserved to be on it,” manager Dave Martinez said at the time.

Right-handed starter Jake Irvin echoed that sentiment last week.

“I think Kyle Finnegan is having just as good of a year,” said Irvin. “I thought he might hear his name called as well.”

Finnegan is the first Nationals reliever to be named to the All-Star team since lefty Sean Doolittle in 2018. Washington has multiple All-Stars for the first time since Scherzer, Kyle Schwarber, Juan Soto and Trea Turner in '21.

The All-Star Game will be close to home for Finnegan. He is from the Houston area, where he proudly drives his daughter Brayden’s soccer carpool in the offseason.