Hendriks, Romano, France, Mikolas, Freddie among new All-Stars
Major League Baseball on Sunday announced six roster replacements for the 2022 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard.
In the American League, Chicago White Sox reliever Liam Hendriks and Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jordan Romano have replaced Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees and Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros, who will both be inactive at the Midsummer Classic. Mariners first baseman Ty France replaced Mike Trout, with Byron Buxton set to replace Trout in the AL starting lineup.
Hendriks, a selection of MLB, is now an All-Star for the third time in his career following selections in 2019 and 2021. Romano, also a selection of MLB, is an All-Star for the first time in his career. Hendriks, a two-time Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year, joins White Sox teammate Tim Anderson on the AL roster, while Romano will come to Los Angeles alongside his Blue Jays teammates Santiago Espinal, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Alejandro Kirk, Alek Manoah and George Springer.
In the National League, Milwaukee Brewers reliever Devin Williams has replaced Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried, who will be inactive on Tuesday, Cardinals right-hander Miles Mikolas replaced Brewers righty Corbin Burnes and Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman was added to the roster as well. Williams, the 2020 NL Rookie of the year and Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year, was a selection of MLB. He earns his first All-Star nod and will join his Brewers teammates Burnes and Josh Hader as 2022 NL All-Stars. Mikolas, now a two-time All-Star who ranks in the top five in the NL in ERA and WHIP, brings the Cardinals' Midsummer Classic representation up to five players.
With the selections of Romano and Freeman, the Blue Jays and Dodgers now have six All-Stars, matching the Yankees and the Braves for the most among Major League clubs.