Rays Send Four All-Stars to Philadelphia as Junior Caminero Headlines 2026 Selections

The Tampa Bay Rays will be well represented at this year’s MLB All-Star Game.

It was announced on Saturday that 4 Rays players will head to Philadelphia during All-Star Weekend to play at Citizens Bank Park for the 96th edition of the Midsummer Classic.

Junior Caminero, Yandy Diaz, Bryan Baker and Drew Rasmussen were selected to represent the current leaders in the American League.

Caminero was selected as a starter for the American League. The Rays third baseman has been on a tear this season, especially as of late. The young superstar continues to add accolades, picking up another All-Star selection following his June Player of the Month award that was announced last week. 

Over the last 15 games, Caminero has been the best at the plate in baseball. He has recorded 11 of his 26 homers and has a 1.153 OPS during that same span. 

The AL MVP candidate was very appreciative of the fans after the results were announced. “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 is on pace to be the first player in Rays franchise history to start in two All-Star Games, a feat he also did last season. Caminero will also participate in the Home Run Derby during All-Star weekend. 

Diaz will make the roster as a reservist, but his resume absolutely holds up as an All-Star this season. Diaz did not win the fan vote for designated hitter, as he was competing against Houston Astros Yordan Alvarez, but Diaz certainly belongs on the roster. He is 3rd in MLB  and leading the American League with a .325 batting average on the season, and is only 1 of 4 players who has already surpassed 100 hits on the year.  

Baker, who is proving to be one of the best closers in baseball, will make his All-Star debut this month. His 1.83 ERA and 0.82 WHIP across 36 appearances put him in elite company on the season, and he is currently 2nd in MLB with 23 saves on the year. 

Finally, Rasmussen may have suddenly found that he is no longer underrated in the eyes of the national media. The right-hander was added to his second All-Star Game after putting himself in consideration as one of the best pitchers in the American League during the first half of the year. 

The game will take place on Tuesday, July 14th, 2026, in Philadelphia. the first time the game will be held there since 1996.