Red Sox's Willson Contreras Named to MLB All-Star Roster, Updated AL Starting Lineup

The Boston Red Sox will have a third representative at the 2026 MLB All-Star Game after Willson Contreras was added to the American League squad.

MLB announced on Tuesday that Contreras will replace Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who was voted as the AL starter at first base.

Nick Kurtz of the Athletics will move into the starting lineup for Guerrero. Here is the updated starting nine for the AL in the Midsummer Classic:

• C: Shea Langeliers, Athletics
• 1B: Nick Kurtz, Athletics
• 2B: Ernie Clement, Toronto Blue Jays
• SS: Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals
• 3B: Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays
• OF: Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins
• OF: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
• OF: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
• DH: Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros

Guerrero announced almost as soon as the full All-Star rosters were revealed on Saturday that he wouldn't be playing to give himself time to rest a back injury that has been hampering him recently.

Kurtz was named a reserve infielder for the AL after being voted in by the players. MLB.com noted the A's star received the most votes on the player ballot.

There was an argument for Contreras to be on the initial roster, but Guerrero being voted in as the starter by the fans made it difficult because that would give the AL three first basemen.

Contreras ranks second to Kurtz among American League first basemen in fWAR. He is hitting .285/.380/.536 with 19 homers in 84 games as one of the few bright spots for a Red Sox team that is 40-48 entering play on Tuesday.

Boston did have two All-Star selections on the original roster, both pitchers. Ranger Suárez and Aroldis Chapman were already on the squad.

Contreras' inclusion gives the Red Sox three All-Stars in a season for the third consecutive year. It's also his fourth career All-Star selection and first since 2022, when he was with the Chicago Cubs.

The Red Sox acquired Contreras in the offseason for a package of three players. Even though things haven't gone as planned for the team, he has more than held up his end of the bargain with a terrific first half of the season.

This year's All-Star Game will be played on July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.