NEW YORK -- The Red Sox added a fourth All-Star on Friday, with the news that center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela is replacing injured Yankees superstar Aaron Judge.
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When the All-Star squads were revealed on Saturday, Boston was represented by closer Aroldis Chapman and lefty starter Ranger Suarez.
The number grew to three when slugging first baseman Willson Contreras was named an injury replacement for the Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on Tuesday.
Now, it is a quartet, and a well-deserved honor for Rafaela, who has elevated his game offensively this season, serving as the team’s No. 2 hitter over the last several weeks. At the same time Rafaela has become a better hitter, he has continued to be perhaps the best defensive center fielder in the game.
In his first 87 games this season entering Friday action, Rafaela built a 3.9 bWAR, slashing .283/.330/.438 with eight homers, 39 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.
“A lot of emotions. I was happy, and then I called my family,” said Rafaela. “A couple tears in my eyes, and yeah, just happiness.”
Rafaela found out he was an All-Star with a surprise announcement from interim manager Chad Tracy through an intercom on the team’s delayed charter flight from Chicago to New York on Friday.
“We were waiting to take off, and then Trace picked up the [intercom] and he announced it,” Rafaela said. “It was special for me that the team was really excited for me, and that moment was special for sure.”
Meanwhile, from the cleanup spot, Contreras has emerged into Boston’s most dangerous hitter this season.
"It means a lot to me and to my family, and I’m happy that I was able to get recognized,” Contreras said. “I can’t wait to be there with my family and my brother [Brewers catcher William Contreras], so it will be nice. As soon as I found out, I called my mom and dad. That was the first thing that came to my mind. I'm always thankful to be recognized. That's what we work for."
This is the fourth All-Star bid for Contreras, but first since 2022, and he'll also participate in Monday's T-Mobile Home Run Derby.
Suarez won’t be able to participate in All-Star festivities due to his placement Thursday on the 15-day injured list with a left groin strain, taking away what would have been a sweet homecoming to Philadelphia, where he had spent his entire career before signing a five-year, $130 million contract to come to Boston back in January.
Headlining the selections is veteran closer Chapman, who was elected to the team by a vote of his peers. The player-voted honor comes right on the heels of a historic personal milestone. In Friday night's series opener, the 38-year-old left-hander earned his 17th save of the season and recorded his 1,364th career strikeout, officially breaking Hoyt Wilhelm's 54-year-old Major League record for the most career strikeouts by a relief pitcher.
Chapman expressed gratitude for a strong first half, noting that the player ballot carried specific significance for him.
"I think it's really important. It's big for me, that fact," Chapman said through interpreter Daveson Pérez. "I think it's a testament to how they recognize the amount of discipline and hard work that I've put in. And to have that recognized, it's kind of them showing me my merit with how I've been performing over the years."
Now a nine-time All-Star, the veteran noted that his perspective on the festivities has shifted as he enters the later stages of his career.
"Everyone knows it. I'm 38, so some might say, you know, I'm reaching the end of my career," Chapman said. "So I'm just going to enjoy it. I'm going to enjoy it as much as I can, because you don't ever know if this is going to be the last one -- the last time that I get selected."
Here is more on the Red Sox's 2026 All-Stars:
Aroldis Chapman, LHP
Previous All-Star appearances: 8 (2012, 2013, 2014 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2025)
Something to know: In this age of triple-digit velocity, Chapman is perhaps the pioneer. On Sept. 24, 2010, while pitching for the Reds, Chapman threw a 105.8-mph pitch, still the fastest on record since MLB started tracking pitch velocity in 2008.
Willson Contreras, 1B
Previous All-Star appearances: 3 (2018, 2019, 2022)
Something to know: Contreras is having arguably the best season of his career. With 20 homers, he appears certain to pass his career high of 24. Meanwhile, his .920 OPS would be a career high and ranks third among AL first basemen, while his .284 average entering Tuesday was best among that group.
Ceddanne Rafaela, CF
Previous All-Star appearances: 0
Something to know: The Curaçao native idolizes former Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who is from Aruba. The fact four-time All-Star Bogaerts was playing for Team Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic back in March is the main reason Rafaela accepted his invitation. Rafaela made his debut in 2023, just missing the chance to be big league teammates with Bogaerts, who signed with the Padres for the ‘23 season.
Ranger Suarez, LHP
Previous All-Star appearances: 1 (2024)
Something to know: Suarez is so calm, his teammates often wonder if he has a pulse. That demeanor has served him particularly well in the postseason, as evidenced by his 4-1 record and 1.48 ERA in 11 appearances, including eight starts.