MLB All-Star Game Honors Justin Verlander as 29 First-Timers Take Philadelphia Stage
Updated
Updated · FOX Sports · Jul 11
MLB All-Star Game Honors Justin Verlander as 29 First-Timers Take Philadelphia Stage
3 articles · Updated · FOX Sports · Jul 11
Summary
Philadelphia’s 2026 All-Star week will double as a farewell tribute to Justin Verlander, the 43-year-old retiring after this season and making his final appearance among baseball’s elite.
29 players are set for their All-Star debuts — a record total — as injuries and opt-outs from stars including Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. open more room for newcomers.
Dylan Cease will start for the American League after 15 straight scoreless innings, while hometown Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez gets the National League nod despite a rough final outing before the break.
Mike Trout returns from a hamstring strain to start in the outfield near his South Jersey hometown, and Phillies teammates Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber will renew their Home Run Derby rivalry in front of local fans.
22 internationally born players — 33.8% of the rosters — underscore MLB’s global reach, while last year’s 6-6 game and swing-off tiebreaker leave open the chance of another dramatic finish Tuesday night.