First-timers Schlittler, Rice join Judge, Belli on All-Star team

NEW YORK – The Yankees will be well represented at the 2026 Major League Baseball All-Star Game presented by Mastercard, which will be played July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Cam Schlittler and Ben Rice were named American League All-Stars on Saturday.

Judge was voted as an AL starter in the outfield by the fans, but he won’t play because of a stress fracture of his right rib. Schlittler and Bellinger were elected by the players, while Rice was selected by Major League Baseball.

For Bellinger, this will be his first All-Star appearance since 2019, when he was a member of the Dodgers. This year’s All-Star festivities will be special because his family will be in attendance.

“It’s been a while. It’s been a long time coming. It’s the first one with the family, so I’m very excited to be there,” Bellinger said. “Last time, I didn’t have any kids, family or anything. I’m excited to have them on the field. That’s what it’s all about.”

Schlittler has yet to play a full season in Major League Baseball. Yet he is one of the best pitchers on the planet, leading AL pitchers in WAR per Baseball Reference (3.4), ERA (2.08) and ERA+ (203). He said he wouldn’t mind starting the game for the AL, but he would understand if the Yankees said no.

“We’ll see. The team comes first. They are a priority,” Schlittler said. “If it lines up, it lines up. If it doesn’t, that’s fine as well.”

With Judge out, Rice has been a power source for the Bronx Bombers, leading the club in home runs (24) and RBIs (56). It seems like yesterday – as recently 2025 – when Rice was struggling to stay on the team. Now he is a mainstay at first base.

“I’m excited about it. I can’t wait to enjoy the weekend,” Rice said. “I didn’t necessarily come into the season saying, ‘I really want to be on the All-Star team.’ If you do your best every day and stick to your process and the results follow, maybe you get the chance.”

Aaron Judge, OF

Previous All-Star appearances: 7 (2017, ‘18, ‘21, ‘22, ‘23, ‘24, ‘25)

Something to know: Though unable to play in the All-Star Game due to a fractured right rib, Judge is now the second player in Yankees history to earn at least eight fan selections, trailing only Derek Jeter (nine).

Cam Schlittler, RHP

Previous All-Star appearances: 0

Something to know: Schlittler’s 1.62 ERA through his first 17 starts this season was the second best by a Yankees pitcher since earned runs became an official stat in 1913, trailing only Ray Caldwell (1.60 ERA in 1914).

Ben Rice, 1B

Previous All-Star appearances: 0

Something to know: Rice became the first rookie in Yankees history to hit three home runs in a game on July 6, 2024, vs. Boston. His seven RBIs in the game matched Lou Gehrig (July 23, 1925, vs. Washington) for the most by a Yankees rookie in a single game since RBIs became an official stat in 1920.

Cody Bellinger, OF

Previous All-Star appearances: 2 (2017, ‘19)

Something to know: According to FanGraphs and Sports Info Solutions, Bellinger had the most DRS among Major Leaguers (17) entering play Saturday.