MLB names its first 2 All-Star starters: Shohei Ohtani and Ernie Clement
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Ernie Clement and Shohei Ohtani faced off in last year's World Series, and now they'll both start for their leagues in July's All-Star Game. Dan Hamilton / Imagn Images
By Steve BermanJune 25, 2026 6:52 pm EDT UpdatedMajor League Baseball has its first two All-Star Game starters, announcing that Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani will be an All-Star for the sixth time as the top vote-getter in the National League, and Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement earned his first All-Star nomination as the American League’s highest-voted player.
Ohtani’s early inclusion comes as no surprise, as he’s a Cy Young Award contender and leads the NL in on-base percentage and OPS+. Clement became a household name less than a year ago when he set a record with 30 postseason hits — including 12 in a classic seven-game World Series against Ohtani’s Dodgers.
The system Shohei Ohtani used to achieve career goals Elise DevlinClement, who was waived and released before joining the Blue Jays three years ago, and wasn’t even on the All-Star ballot last summer, is batting .292 with a 102 OPS+. He is tied for the American League lead in doubles with 20, however.
To earn a spot in next month’s Midsummer Classic at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Ohtani and Clement eclipsed over 3 million votes, per MLB.
- Clement: 3,232,932 votes
- Ohtani: 3,341,257 votes
It is Ohtani’s second straight season leading the NL in votes. Yet, despite leading the NL in votes, Ohtani is guaranteed only a starting spot at designated hitter. With a 1.58 ERA over 13 games and 79 2/3 innings, he does appear to be a strong candidate to get the start on the mound.
With two starters announced, one in each league, here’s what the finalists look like ahead of Phase 2 opening up at noon ET Monday.
American League
Catcher: Shea Langeliers (Athletics), Alejandro Kirk (Blue Jays)
First base: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays), Ben Rice (Yankees)
Third base: Kazuma Okamoto (Blue Jays), Junior Caminero (Rays)
Shortstop: Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals), Andrés Giménez (Blue Jays)
Outfield: Aaron Judge (Yankees), Mike Trout (Angels), Byron Buxton (Twins), Cody Bellinger (Yankees), Daulton Varsho (Blue Jays), Jesús Sánchez (Blue Jays)
Designated hitter: Yordan Alvarez (Astros), George Springer (Blue Jays)
National League
Catcher: Drake Baldwin (Braves), Will Smith (Dodgers)
First base: Freddie Freeman (Dodgers), Matt Olson (Braves)
Second base: Bryson Stott (Phillies), Ozzie Albies (Braves)
Third base: Max Muncy (Dodgers), Alec Bohm (Phillies)
Shortstop: CJ Abrams (Nationals), Mookie Betts (Dodgers)
Outfield: Andy Pages (Dodgers), Brandon Marsh (Phillies), Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves), Teoscar Hernández (Dodgers), Juan Soto (Mets), Michael Harris II (Braves)
Phase 2 winners will be announced July 4, as will pitchers and reserve players.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
