Nick Martínez is expected to be selected to the All-Star Game as a replacement on the American League roster as per sources close to the Cuban Baseball Digest, bringing the number of players of Cuban heritage in this year’s Midsummer Classic to nine.
After being regarded by many as the ace of the Tampa Bay Rays this season, Cuban-American right-hander Nick Martínez was inexplicably left off the American League All-Star roster by MLB. His omission was a major injustice.
The Cuban-American hurler has a sterling 7-2 win-loss, is third in the American League with a 2.61 earned run average and sports an immaculate 1.13 WHIP. In 100 innings pitched the native of Miami has only allowed 29 earned runs and batters hit a paltry .249 against Martínez.
Martínez’s numbers clearly support his case for a spot on the American League roster:
IP: 100
W-L: 7-2
ERA: 2.61
WHIP: 1.13
SO: 61
Since 2023, players of Cuban heritage have combined for 24 MLB All-Star selections, led by Yordan Álvarez and Randy Arozarena with three selections each, while Yandy Díaz and Aroldis Chapman have earned two selections apiece.
Below is the year-by-year breakdown:
2023 (11): JD Martínez*, Nolan Arenado*, Yandy Díaz, Randy Arozarena, Nick Castellanos*, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Jorge Soler, Yordan Álvarez, Luis Robert Jr., Yennier Cano, Adolis García
2024 (1): Yordan Álvarez
2025 (3): Aroldis Chapman, Randy Arozarena, Adrián Morejón
2026 (8): Yordan Álvarez, Miguel Vargas, Randy Arozarena, Yandy Díaz, Aroldis Chapman, Andy Pagés, Sal Stewart, Raisel Iglesias, Nick Martínez*
*Cuban-American