After it was announced that Shohei Ohtani would not participate in the All-Star Game this season due to injury, Major League Baseball has named his replacement.
St. Louis Cardinals catcher/designated hitter Iván Herrera will officially replace Ohtani on the National League roster in this year's All-Star Game, which will take place Tuesday, July 14, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Friday that Ohtani would not participate in this year's game, with the back-to-back NL MVP dealing with left knee irritation that also pushed back his scheduled Friday start against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Herrera is now the third Cardinal selected to the All-Star Game this year, joining outfielder Jordan Walker and relief pitcher Riley O'Brien. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol is also joining the National League coaching staff in Philadelphia.
As for Herrera, the 27-year-old is stringing together a great season in St. Louis. Herrera has appeared in every game for the Cardinals thus far, slashing .249/.384/.395 with 11 home runs, 40 RBI and a .779 OPS in 92 games.
Those numbers for Herrera come after he logged a career-high 107 games in 2025 with 19 home runs and 66 RBI, also career-bests. He now appears well on his way to surpassing those numbers this year.
The Cardinals have been one of baseball's best stories in 2026. After entering this season with the youngest roster in the league, St. Louis heads into the final weekend before the All-Star Break just three games out of the third and final Wild Card spot in the National League. Herrera has certainly played a key role in the Cardinals' first-half success.
