Ahead of Friday night’s series opener against the Mets, the Boston Red Sox got their fourth All-Star representative as center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela was named to the American League All-Star roster, replacing reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge.  

After being a finalist for the Platinum Glove in 2025, Rafaela has once again been one of the best defensive players in baseball in 2026, posting 15 defensive runs saved, the fifth-highest mark in the league, and the second-highest among American League outfielders. He trails only teammate Wilyer Abreu, who has 16. The 25-year-old has also posted an outs-above-average and fielding run value of 11, which leads all American League outfielders and ranks among the top five in the sport.  

In addition to being one of the best defensive players in baseball, Rafaela is also breaking out in a big way at the plate. His line of .283/.330/.438/.768 through 87 games represent career highs across the board, while his weighted runs created plus (wRC+) of 110 is a 19 percent increase from last year’s mark of 91. 

The key for Rafaela in 2026 has been simple: becoming more selective about the pitches he’s swinging at. The 25-year-old has a career-low 68.5 percent in-zone swing percentage, a 6.1 percent decrease from last year’s mark. Similarly, his out-of-zone swing percentage of 40.2 percent represents a 1.5 percent decrease from 2025. Despite being more selective at the plate, Rafaela is making more consistent contact, posting career highs in both in-zone contact (85.4 percent) and out-of-zone contact (64.2 percent). 

Along with the announcement that Rafaela would take the place of Judge, injured Red Sox starter Ranger Suárez was replaced on the American League roster by Tampa Bay starter Nick Martinez, rather than Suárez’s teammate Sonny Gray. With Martinez’s selection, Gray is now the only qualified pitcher in the top 10 in ERA to be left off the All-Star rosters. Suarez had campaigned for Gray to take his spot on the roster after being placed on the injured list on Thursday morning. 

After plane problems delayed Boston’s flight from Chicago to New York until late Friday afternoon, the Red Sox will look to keep their season-high six-game winning streak alive at Citi Field, kicking off a three-game set with the Mets. Gray (10-1, 2.61 ERA) will get the start for Boston, hoping to make one final case for his fourth career All-Star Game appearance opposite Nolan McLean (6-5, 3.73 ERA) for New York. First pitch from Citi Field set for 7:15 p.m. ET.

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