ST. PETERSBURG — The American League-leading Tampa Bay Rays will send five players to the 96th All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on July 14, with third baseman Junior Caminero earning his second consecutive starting nod through fan voting.
Caminero, who slugged 45 home runs with 110 RBI last season, joins Evan Longoria as the only third basemen in franchise history to earn a fan selection and is slated to become the first player in Rays history to start two All-Star Games. “I want to tell the fans thank you for getting me sent to Philly,” Caminero said. “I feel really good. When you put in 100 percent of your ability, and the fans vote for you, it’s amazing.”
“He’s incredibly deserving, and the last month, he’s put us more on a national stage because of what he does with a bat in his hands,” manager Kevin Cash said.
Joining Caminero are starting pitchers Drew Rasmussen and Nick Martinez, closer Bryan Baker and designated hitter Yandy Díaz. The selections mark the first All-Star nod for Baker and Martinez and the second for Rasmussen and Díaz, respectively. “Super proud of all of them; they all got there different ways,” Cash said. “Three of them, it’s their second nominations. And for Bryan Baker his first; that first one’s always special.”
Baker, in his sixth Major League season, ranks among the Majors’ save leaders after stepping into the closer role to fill a void created by injuries at the back end of Tampa Bay’s bullpen. “Definitely not something I expected coming into the year,” Baker said. “It’s a pleasant surprise, for sure.”
Díaz, 34 years old, earned his spot through player balloting. His first All-Star selection came in 2023. “I feel and think I’m still 20 years old,” Díaz said through an interpreter. “I’m not having that 34-year-old age in mind. It feels good that the league is recognizing me and giving me the chance to be an All-Star.” Díaz has been used exclusively as a DH this season.
Rasmussen posted a 0.82 ERA with 39 strikeouts and only four walks in 33 innings over five starts in June. Among pitchers who have worked at least 500 innings since 2021, he has the second-lowest ERA in the Majors behind only the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani. Martinez, a late addition to the roster, enters his next start with a 2.61 ERA — ninth lowest among qualified pitchers — after signing a one-year contract at the onset of Spring Training. He has allowed three runs or fewer in all but one of his 17 starts this season.
Cash said he believed the Rays had additional deserving candidates beyond the five selected, naming first baseman Jonathan Aranda, starter Shane McClanahan and reliever Kevin Kelly. “I think they’re all All-Star worthy,” Cash said. “I hope there’s some consideration moving forward. I know guys can’t go for whatever reason, and I hope our guys are considered, because they’ve performed like All-Stars for us.”
Caminero will also compete in the Home Run Derby after finishing as the runner-up a year ago. “I want to win it all this time,” Caminero said. The All-Star Game is set for July 14 in Philadelphia.