Riley Greene Becomes All-Star Starter for the Detroit Tigers

The Big News

The Detroit Tigers finally have a player starting in the 2026 MLB All-Star Game!

• Riley Greene, who plays left field for the Tigers, was named a starter for the American League (one of the two main groups of teams in Major League Baseball).
• This means he will be in the starting lineup when the best players show off their skills.

When and Where Is the Game?

• Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 (the day after this news came out).
• Place: Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
• Time: The first pitch (the start of the game) is at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
• TV: You can watch it on the Fox channel.

Important: The news was reported on July 13, 2026, at 3:05 p.m. ET, just one day before the game!

Who Is Riley Greene?

• He is 25 years old.
• He plays left fielder (a defensive spot in the grassy outfield).
• This is his third straight All-Star selection (he was picked three years in a row).
• It is his second straight year as a starter.
• He won a Silver Slugger Award in 2025 (a prize given to the best hitter at each position).

Key Point: He was not originally chosen by the fans’ vote, but he still made it as a starter later.

How Did He Get the Starting Spot?

Sometimes players who were supposed to start can’t play. Here is what happened:

1. Aaron Judge (the reigning AL MVP – most valuable player) was originally a starter but is out.
2. Byron Buxton (an outfielder for the Minnesota Twins) was also originally a starter but is out.
3. Riley Greene and Cody Bellinger (a New York Yankees outfielder) will take their places as starters.

So Greene got a promotion to the starting team!

How Good Is Greene in 2026?

Even though he is young, he is having maybe his best year ever:

• He has career highs in:
  • On-base percentage (OBP): .380 (this shows how often he reaches base safely without making an out).
  • OPS: .842 (a number that combines hitting for average and power).
• He has had 400 plate appearances (times he stood at bat).
• His home runs (big hits that score runs) are lower: only 13 in 95 games.
• But he has:
  • Fewer strikeouts (when you swing and miss and get out).
  • A walk rate (times he gets to first base free because the pitcher throws bad balls) of 12.8%, which is higher than the league average of 9%.

Important: Greene is one of four Tigers picked as All-Stars, but he is the only Tiger starter.

Other Tigers All-Stars

The four Detroit players chosen for the American League All-Star team are:

• Riley Greene (left fielder, starter)
• Kevin McGonigle (shortstop)
• Dillon Dingler (catcher)
• Justin Verlander (a "Legends Pick" – chosen by old baseball greats)

Greene is the first Tigers player to be named to three straight All-Star Games since Miguel Cabrera went seven years in a row from 2010 to 2016.

How to Watch the All-Star Game (Easy Steps)

1. Circle July 14, 2026 on your calendar.
2. Find the Fox channel on your TV or streaming app.
3. Turn it on at 8 p.m. ET.
4. Cheer for Riley Greene and the American League!

Extra Things to Know

• You can buy tickets to see the Tigers play this season (the original article linked to StubHub).
• Want a daily wrap-up of Detroit sports? You can sign up for the Free Press Sports Briefing newsletter.
• The author of the article is Christian, and you can email him at cromo@freepress.com.

Summary

Riley Greene, the 25-year-old left fielder for the Detroit Tigers, was added as a starter for the American League in the 2026 MLB All-Star Game on July 14 in Philadelphia. Even though fans didn’t vote him in at first, he replaced Aaron Judge alongside Cody Bellinger. Greene is having a fantastic season with career-best on-base skills and is one of four Tigers All-Stars, but the only starter. Fans can watch the game on Fox at 8 p.m. ET.

FAQ

Q1: What is the MLB All-Star Game?
A: It’s a special yearly baseball game where the best players from the American League and National League (the two big groups in MLB) play against each other for fun and pride.

Q2: What does “not initially named via the fan vote” mean?
A: Usually, fans go online and vote for which players they want to start. Greene didn’t get enough votes at first, but later he was placed in the starting lineup because other players dropped out.

Q3: What is a “Legends Pick”?
A: It’s a player chosen by former baseball superstars (legends) to be an All-Star, even if they weren’t voted in by fans. Justin Verlander received this special nod.

Q4: Why is a high walk rate good?
A: A walk means the batter doesn’t swing and gets to first base for free. A walk rate of 12.8% (compared to the 9% league average) shows Greene is very patient and smart when batting.

Q5: How can I stay updated on Tigers news?
A: You can sign up for the Free Press Sports Briefing newsletter for daily summaries, or simply watch the All-Star Game on Fox to see Greene in action!