Guardians' Ramírez withdraws from ASG, replaced by Astros' Paredes

Cleveland Guardians third baseman José Ramírez declined to participate in this year's All-Star Game to focus on his recovery from injuries ahead of the season's second half, the team announced.

Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes will replace Ramírez on the American League roster.

Ramírez was selected last week to his seventh career All-Star Game and earned his fourth start at third base for the Junior Circuit. However, he has battled various injuries throughout the season, and he's currently recovering from heel and ankle injuries, according to Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com.

Ramírez also sustained a sprained wrist in March, a sprained ankle in May, and a forearm contusion following a hit-by-pitch in June, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Despite all the injuries, the 32-year-old has been the Guardians' offensive leader, hitting .299/.364/.503 with 16 home runs, 44 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases over 87 games. Ramírez's 3.4 fWAR is the highest among all qualified third basemen in the majors.

Paredes is now a two-time All-Star, having also made the AL team in 2024 as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays. The 26-year-old, acquired by Houston this past offseason for fellow 2025 All-Star Kyle Tucker, is hitting .255/.358/.471 with 19 homers and 49 RBIs this season.

Paredes will be a reserve for the AL All-Stars, while Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays will start the game in place of Ramírez, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Caminero was named an All-Star on Tuesday as a replacement for the injured Alex Bregman.

Paredes gives the Astros four All-Stars on this year's AL squad, joining shortstop Jeremy Peña, starter Hunter Brown, and closer Josh Hader. Peña is currently on the injured list with a fractured rib and will attend next week's festivities in Atlanta but not play, while Brown won't pitch in the game as he's expected to start Sunday's first-half finale for Houston.

Detroit Tigers utility player Zach McKinstry will replace Peña on the AL roster. McKinstry, a first-time All-Star and the fifth Tigers player to make this year's game, entered play Wednesday hitting a career-best .283/.357/.460 with seven homers, 27 RBIs, and 13 steals. The 30-year-old has started games at five different positions this season.

Brown will be replaced on the AL's roster by Minnesota Twins ace Joe Ryan. The 29-year-old, who will be making his first career All-Star appearance, owns a 2.76 ERA with 116 strikeouts and a 1.8 BB/9 rate over 104 1/3 innings this season.

The National League also added one more player Wednesday in Milwaukee Brewers closer Trevor Megill. The 31-year-old, also a first-time All-Star, owns a 2.41 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 43 strikeouts and 21 saves this season.

Megill replaces his Brewers teammate Freddy Peralta on the NL roster. Peralta is scheduled to start for Milwaukee on Sunday, which will render him ineligible to pitch in the Midsummer Classic two days later.