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

12:19 AM UTC

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.

, , and 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.