Three Phillies, Judge, Soto, Ohtani among MLB All-Star starters

The Philadelphia Phillies are sending three infielders to the MLB All-Star Game later this month. Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and Alec Bohm were among those called up to the Midsummer Classic on Wednesday night.

Turner beat Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts in a close vote — although Betts will not be able to play in the game because of a broken left hand. Bohm, meanwhile, will make his first All-Star appearance after winning 70 percent of the vote over San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado.

“It’s a great thing for the organization,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said.

The league announced Wednesday the starting lineup for the July 16 game in Arlington, Texas. The New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Cleveland Guardians, Baltimore Orioles, Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres each have two starting lineups representing their teams.

In the American League, the Yankees’ Aaron Judge and Juan Soto will start together in the outfield, as will the Guardians’ Steven Kwan.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays will start at first base, Jose Altuve of the Astros at second, Gunnar Henderson of the Orioles at shortstop and Jose Ramirez of the Guardians at third. Adley Rutschman of the O’s won the vote at the plate, and Yordan Alvarez of the Astros did the same at designated hitter. Alvarez narrowly defeated Baltimore DH Ryan O’Hearn in the final vote, 52 percent to 48 percent.

In the National League, Harper, Turner and Bohm will be joined in the infield by Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte, while the Brewers’ Christian Yelich will line up alongside Padres teammates Jurickson Profar and Fernando Tatis Jr. in the outfield.

Brewers catcher William Contreras will start behind the plate, while Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani will get a chance to play as the designated hitter.

Reserves will be announced on Sunday.

“I hope (Bryson) Stott can do it, too,” Thomson said. “Atlanta had it last year when all four of their infielders did it.”