SAN DIEGO -- Wil Myers can add "starter" to an All-Star resume that includes ambassador and T-Mobile Home Run Derby participant after National League manager Terry Collins announced Monday that Myers would start as the team's designated hitter and bat fourth in today's All-Star Game presented by MasterCard.
Myers -- who will be joined by teammate Drew Pomeranz on the All-Star team -- becomes just the second Padre player to hit cleanup in the Midsummer Classic, along with Fred McGriff, who did so during the 1992 All-Star Game, which also took place in San Diego.
:: Complete All-Star Game coverage ::
"I'm very excited about that opportunity," Myers said. "I'm very excited to be introduced into the starting lineup in front of the home crowd. It's going to be a cool moment for me, and it's going to be a cool moment for San Diego."
Myers will have his named called soon after 4:30 p.m. PT today, when All-Star Game coverage begins on FOX.
Myers cemented his spot in the All-Star Game after hitting .319 with a 1.089 OPS in 36 games since the start of June 1. His 3.5 WAR (according to FanGraphs) during the first half of the season is tied with Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs for the best mark in the Majors by a first baseman.
"Wil's a deserving guy," Collins said. "He's had a tremendous first half, and we're excited that he gets to start this game in front of his hometown."
The 25-year-old said he found out he would be starting when he checked Twitter in one of the few minutes of downtime he's had since waking up Monday.
• Interactive All-Star Game rosters
"It's been nonstop since 7:40 this morning, but I'm enjoying it I'm trying to soak it all in, take it all in," Myers said. "Obviously, it gets tiring a little bit, but this could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me, so I just want to enjoy every bit of it ...
"Just being here, coming back from the injuries and being able to be here my first, really, full season in the big leagues is a big deal to me. Very proud of myself for being able to overcome those, I've had a lot of people help me. I couldn't be here without those people."
Myers will be able to go through the first-year All-Star experience along with Pomeranz, who is replacing Noah Syndergaard of the Mets (arm fatigue). Pomeranz will also be making his first All-Star Game.
• All-Star Game gear
Pomeranz posted a 2.47 ERA in 17 starts while striking out 115 batters and holding opponents to a .184 batting average -- the third-best mark in the Majors.
"[Padres manager Andy Green] really just gave me a chance," Pomeranz said of his breakout season. "A chance to prove myself and leave me in some of those situations normally you get pulled out of, and I think those are the things that make you a better pitcher."
With the late notice of making the National League roster, Pomeranz was forced to cancel some otherwise important plans over the break.
"My fiancé and I were supposed to go to Hawaii to plan our wedding, but ... whatever," he said, laughing. "It was a good excuse."