Angels’ two-way star Ohtani makes All-Star history

Shohei Ohtani achieved a first in the near century history of baseball’s All-Star Game: selection as both a hitter and a pitcher.

The Los Angeles Angels’ two-way star was among the American League starting pitchers picked Sunday for the July 13 showcase at Denver’s Coors Field. Ohtani, who leads the majors with 31 homers, had already been elected by fans to start as the AL’s DH.

Boston has the most AllStars, sending five. Designated hitter J.D. Martinez, starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi and reliever Matt Barnes were chosen to join a pair of starters: shortstop Xander Bogaerts and third baseman Rafael Devers.

Ohtani received 121 votes in balloting by players, managers and coaches.

The right-hander was joined by fellow starting pitchers Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees (AL-best 272 votes), and Lance Lynn and Carlos Rodón of the Chicago White Sox.

New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom led NL starting pitchers with 321 votes, followed by the Giants’ Kevin Gausman, Milwaukee’s Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff, and

San Diego’s Yu Darvish.

The Yankees’ Aroldis Chapman (160), Chicago’s Liam Hendriks and Barnes are the AL relievers. Chicago’s Craig Kimbrel (208), Milwaukee’s Josh Hader and San Diego’s Mark Melancon are in the NL bullpen.

Tampa Bay catcher Mike Zunino was elected as an AL reserve along with A’s first baseman Matt Olson, Houston second baseman José Altuve and shortstop Carlos Correa, Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez and outfielders Cedric Mullins of Baltimore, Michael Brantley of the Astros

and Adolis Garcia of Texas.

MLB’s picks, which ensure at least one player from each team participates, included five pitchers — Eovaldi, Texas’ Kyle Gibson, Seattle’s Yusei Kikuchi, Houston’s Ryan Pressly and Detroit’s Gregory Soto plus Toronto shortstop Bo Bichette, Minnesota DH Nelson Cruz, Texas outfielder Joey Gallo and Angels first baseman Jared Walsh.

Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto was elected as an NL reserve along with Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy, San Diego second baseman

Jake Cronenworth, Washington shortstop Trea Turner, Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts and Pittsburgh outfielder Bryan Reynolds.

MLB added pitchers German Márquez of the host Rockies, St. Louis’ Alex Reyes, Miami’s Trevor Rogers and Philadelphia’s Zack Wheeler plus Atlanta second baseman Ozzie Albies, Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford, Arizona infielder Eduardo Escobar, Washington outfielder Juan Soto and Dodgers outfielder Chris Taylor.