Clayton Kershaw, Ryan Braun Named to NL Roster for 2015 MLB All-Star Game

The National League All-Star team will sub out one Cy Young winner with another, as the Los Angeles Dodgers announced Sunday that ace Clayton Kershaw will replace Max Scherzer of the Washington Nationals for this year's Midsummer Classic.

Scherzer, 30, is ineligible to pitch after being named the Nationals' starter for Sunday's game in Baltimore. The three-time All-Star was one of the favorites to start for the NL in Cincinnati. He said he still plans on attending the game. 

“It’s just one of those rules that’s within the game,” Scherzer said, per James Wagner of the Washington Post. “I understand. It’s MLB protecting us. Even if I were to pitch [Sunday], I wouldn’t want to pitch in the All-Star Game. It’s just unfortunate, the timing of the game and event that I won’t be able to help out the NL. It’s still an unbelievable experience whether I play or not.”

Kershaw, who won the NL MVP award a year ago, was an All-Star snub thanks to a less-than-stellar first two months. He was 3-3 with a 3.86 ERA on June 1, but since that point, he's matched that win-loss record while posting a much more Kershaw-like 1.72 ERA. Overall, he's 6-6 with a 2.85 ERA and 1.024 WHIP.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports pointed out that Scherzer's absence will likely open up an opportunity for Kershaw's teammate, Zack Greinke:

Also joining the NL roster Sunday was Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun, who NL manager Bruce Bochy named to replace injured St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday. Braun is making his sixth All-Star appearance overall and first since being suspended for performance-enhancing drugs in 2013. He is the third player involved in the Biogenesis scandal who will be part of All-Star festivities, joining Seattle Mariners designated hitter Nelson Cruz and Cardinals shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

In a third and final roster move Sunday, Bochy decided to place Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson in the starting lineup for Holliday. Pederson, 23, is hitting .230/.366/.486 with 20 home runs and 40 RBI. He will also participate in Monday's Home Run Derby.

Overall, three of the eight players voted as NL starters were forced to withdraw from the game due to injury. Miami's Dee Gordon and Giancarlo Stanton will also be sidelined from the festivities due to a broken thumb and a broken hand bone, respectively.

Pederson joins Kris Bryant and DJ LeMahieu as first-time All-Stars thrust into the NL starting lineup via injury. The NL has eight batters and 15 players overall who will be making their first trip to the Midsummer Classic. With the AL featuring 18 such players, fans should get a long look at the next generation of MLB stars this week.

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