Red Sox Add Fourth All-Star After Aaron Judge Withdraws with Rib Injury

The Boston Red Sox already had three All-Stars heading into the weekend. Now they’ve got a fourth — and it’s a guy who made it mostly because of his glove, even if his bat has finally caught up.

Ceddanne Rafaela got the call Friday that he’s headed to his first All-Star Game. He’s replacing Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who’s dealing with a rib injury. The team made the announcement official before their game against the Orioles.

Rafaela’s Path to the Midsummer Classic

Rafaela won a Gold Glove in center field last year, and he’s been just as good defensively in 2026. But the reason he’s an All-Star now? He’s actually hitting. Through 87 games this season, he’s batting .283 with eight homers, 39 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. Those numbers put him on track for career highs across the board.

This didn’t happen overnight, even if it feels like it did. In 2025, Rafaela hit .249 with 16 homers and 63 RBIs. The year before that? .246 with 15 homers and 75 RBIs. Over 423 career games with Boston, he’s a .255 hitter with 41 homers, 182 RBIs and 54 steals. Solid, but not exactly the kind of numbers that scream All-Star.

But this year is different. He’s been more selective at the plate, and pitchers are starting to respect him in a way they didn’t before. His OPS is up, his strikeout rate is down, and he’s making harder contact more consistently.

Joining an All-Star Crew in Boston

Rafaela will be joined in the All-Star Game by Red Sox teammates Aroldis Chapman, Willson Contreras and Ranger Suarez. That’s four guys from a team that’s currently riding a six-game winning streak and looking like a legit contender in the AL East.

Boston’s been hot, and Rafaela is a big reason why. He’s not just a defensive replacement anymore. He’s in the lineup every day, hitting in the top half of the order, and making plays that win games in the field and at the plate.

Judge’s injury opened the door, sure. But Rafaela earned this. The kid who could always pick it in center has finally figured out how to hit, and the rest of the league is starting to notice.