Reds right-hander Luis Castillo missed all of Spring Training due to a right shoulder strain and didn’t make his first start of the season until May 9. But his performance in the 12 starts since was enough to earn him a spot on the National League All-Star team.

Castillo will be making his second career All-Star appearance, first since 2019.

• MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard: July 19 on FOX

“It’s kind of a surprise. I really don’t believe it yet,” Castillo said, via interpreter Jorge Merlos. “There are several other players who are having a fantastic year. Every player wants to be an All-Star. You feel like you have achieved something greater.”

The 29-year-old has been great this season, posting a 2.92 ERA with 74 strikeouts in 71 innings. He had a two-start stretch in which he went 1-0 with a 0.69 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 13 innings. In his most recent start, a 2-1 win over the Rays on Friday, Castillo allowed one run through seven innings with eight K's and a walk.

Reds manager David Bell was particularly impressed by his outing at Wrigley Field on June 28 when he threw 123 pitches -- tied for second-most in baseball this season -- and escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth.

“That one stood out for me,” Bell said. “The pitch count was creeping up and he just was very determined to get out of that inning and finish off that start.”

The All-Star pitchers and reserves are determined by player vote. On Sunday, Bell held a clubhouse meeting to make the announcement. And the Reds’ skipper played up the drama.

“David [Bell] went around the room and said ‘It’s a pitcher, it’s a great teammate that we all love,’” Castillo said. “When I heard that, I thought it was maybe in my favor I would get the call.”

There was one glaring omission from Bell’s announcement, with Brandon Drury not getting an All-Star nod despite a tremendous first half.

Entering Sunday’s series finale vs. Tampa Bay, Drury was leading the team in nearly every offensive category. He ranked eighth in the NL in homers, sixth in slugging percentage and 13th in RBIs.

Drury, 29, has been a huge pickup for the Reds after he was signed to a Minor League contract in March. He made the club as a role player out of camp and slugged a three-run home run on Opening Day in Atlanta.

“It’s doesn’t change a thing about the season he’s having,” Bell said. “He’s going to finish strong. First time I talked to him in Spring Training, he was going to show that he was a great player. All-Star Game or not, it doesn’t change a thing about who he is or the player he is.”

But the day belonged to Castillo. Bell said he was as happy for Castillo the person as he was for Castillo the pitcher.

“Our team is thrilled for him,” Bell said. “He has taken his game to a whole new level. He’s one of the best, if not the best pitcher in baseball right now. We’ve known him for a while now. We love him. He’s an even better person and teammate. That’s why everyone is so happy for him.”

With Castillo's All-Star selection, the next question becomes, how long will he stay in Cincinnati? The starter's name has been tossed around as one of the hottest arms on the trade market. With the Reds in last place heading to the final week before the break, the answer may be not much longer.

“I’m glad that I’ve been a part of this team for a long time,” Castillo said. “To be with this team as much as possible, that’s what matters. For all the battles we’ve been through, it’s been very emotional.”