The Tampa Bay Rays are heading to the 2026 MLB All-Star Game with four representatives, but that number could have been even bigger.
Junior Caminero, Yandy Diaz, Drew Rasmussen and Bryan Baker made the American League roster, yet a strong case can be made that Nick Martinez, Shane McClanahan, Kevin Kelly and Jonathan Aranda were every bit worthy of a trip to Citizens Bank Park for the Midsummer Classic.
Kevin Cash didn’t hide where he stood after the selections were announced. Before the weekend, the Rays manager said three pitchers from his staff - McClanahan, Kelly and Martinez - along with Aranda should have been in the mix.
"I think they're all All-Star worthy," Cash said. "I hope there's some consideration moving forward. I know guys can't go for whatever reason, and I hope our guys are considered, because they've performed like All-Stars for us."
Martinez looks like the toughest omission to swallow. His numbers stack up with some of the best arms in the American League, including Rasmussen, who was named to his second All-Star Game and is one of the 3 favorites for the Cy Young Award.
Martinez had been viewed earlier in the year as not just an All-Star, but even a possible starter. Instead, he’s left on the outside looking in for now.
If an opening comes up because of an opt-out, he’d seem to be the first name in line for the junior circuit.
McClanahan has also built a compelling case in his return to the mound after nearly two seasons away. His 3.05 ERA may have worked against him, but his 1.17 WHIP, 77 strikeouts in 79 innings and the limited home runs he’s allowed paint the picture of a pitcher performing at a high level.
Kelly’s résumé is just as hard to ignore. He ranks second in the American League with 18 holds and has added 4 saves, while Cleveland’s Erik Sabrowski, the league leader in holds, has 0. Cash has used Kelly in a variety of roles this season, and he’s answered every time, helping lock down the back end of the bullpen with Baker.
Aranda could still force his way onto the team if another opening appears. He entered Monday hitting .287/.388/.452 with 13 homers and a team-high 58 RBIs, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s opt-out with the Toronto Blue Jays could create the kind of vacancy that keeps his name in the conversation.
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