Pirates reliever Mark Melancon and Giants closer Sergio Romo were added to the National League All-Star team, and Orioles starter Chris Tillman was added to the American League squad on Sunday. They all replace pitchers who are unavailable for Tuesday night's All-Star Game at Citi Field in New York.
Melancon and Romo are stepping in for Pirates starter Jeff Locke and Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann, both of whom are resting minor injuries. Tillman is the substitute for the Tigers' Justin Verlander, who started against the Tigers on Sunday afternoon and therefore could not pitch on Tuesday.
With the addition of these three first-time All-Stars, this year's rosters now feature a record 36 newcomers, surpassing the total of 35 from the 2011 game at Arizona.
Melancon gives the Pirates five All-Stars, the club's most since 1972, when a Bucs contingent including Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell made the trip to Atlanta. The 28-year-old has excelled as a setup man for fellow All-Star Jason Grilli. He entered Sunday with an NL-best 0.81 ERA, holding batters to a .193 average and striking out 46 in 44 1/3 innings.
Romo has racked up 21 saves and posted a 2.86 ERA for All-Star skipper Bruce Bochy. Last year, Romo recorded the final out in nine of the Giants' 11 postseason victories, as the club won its second World Series championship in three years.
With Tillman's inclusion, the Orioles now have five All-Stars, their most since Hall of Famers Cal Ripken, Jr. and Roberto Alomar led a group of five to Cleveland in 1997. Tillman is 11-3 this season, with a 3.95 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 111 2/3 innings.
Other announcements regarding other changes to the All-Star rosters will be made later on Sunday.
Andrew Simon is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @HitTheCutoff. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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