MLB Set to Unveil 2026 All-Star Rosters on July 5 as NL Pitching Depth Squeezes Spots
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 3
MLB Set to Unveil 2026 All-Star Rosters on July 5 as NL Pitching Depth Squeezes Spots
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 3
Summary
Saturday’s initial 2026 All-Star rosters will lock in the first 64 selections for Philadelphia, before injuries and pitching schedules trigger the usual wave of replacements ahead of the July 14 game.
Fan voting chose the starters, while players voted June 24-28 on reserves and pitchers under roster rules that require every team to have at least one representative and limit the staff to nine starting pitchers.
The National League’s biggest squeeze is on the mound: 17 pitchers had at least 10 starts and a 3.33 ERA or better through Thursday, leaving candidates such as Foster Griffin and several other strong starters vulnerable.
The American League shows the opposite imbalance at second base, where Toronto’s Ernie Clement already secured a spot and stood out as the only healthy regular at the position with a .750 OPS.
The roster reveal opens All-Star week in Philadelphia, where the HBCU Swingman Classic starts festivities next Friday before the All-Star Game itself on July 14.