DETROIT — The Rays now have a third All-Star headed to Atlanta.
Third baseman Junior Caminero was added to the American League team Tuesday night as a replacement for Boston’s Alex Bregman, who withdrew due to injury.
“Tremendous. (A) tremendous thing. I thank God for the opportunity,” Caminero said via team interpreter Eddie Rodriguez. “The hard work that I’ve been putting in, it’s paying off.”
Caminero was added because he was the next highest finisher in the player voting, behind starter Jose Ramirez of Cleveland and Bregman.
Caminero had worthy numbers, hitting .252 with 21 homers, 57 RBIs and a .790 OPS.
But more impressive is that he did so while just turning 22 last week.
“I’m very happy about it,” Caminero said. “I can’t stress it enough, I thank God for the opportunity. To be an All-Star at this age, I’m very proud of myself, and it’s very big.”
Junior Caminero’s 21 home runs are fourth most in the American League, but he was noncommittal Tuesday when asked if he’d welcome an invitation to participate in the Home Run Derby. [ PAMELA SMITH | AP ]
Caminero, whose 21 homers are fourth most in the AL, had indicated previously that if he made the team he would welcome an invitation to participate in Monday’s Home Run Derby.
Asked Tuesday about that possibility, he said, “I don’t have an answer for that right now.”
The Rays received word of Caminero’s addition during Tuesday’s game against the Tigers, passed it along to manager Kevin Cash, and he pulled Caminero aside in the sixth inning to tell him.
Cash shared the news with the rest of the team after the game.
“Huge congrats to Junior,” Cash said. “So deserving. There’s a bunch of really good third basemen in this league, no doubt, but I’m happy that he got on. It’s quite the honor. I just told the guys. The team’s pretty pumped up.”
Caminero joins first baseman Jonathan Aranda and second baseman Brandon Lowe, who both were voted to the AL team in the players’ balloting.
“I’m very emotional, Caminero said. ”I have a lot of emotions, like knowing that I’m going to be there with my teammates and representing Tampa Bay. It’s a good emotion.”
This is the eighth time in franchise history the Rays have had at least three players chosen for the All-Star team team, most recently in 2023: Randy Arozarena, Yandy Diaz, Shane McClanahan and Wander Franco.
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