Prior to Wednesday night’s 4-2 win over the NL West last place San Diego Padres, it was announced that 28-year-old Dodgers right-hander Ross Stripling had been added to the 2018 National League All-Star team roster by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred.

“We got everyone in [Petco Park’s visitors indoor batting] cage – pitchers, coaches, hitters – and just announced it to everyone,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts about how they broke the news to Stripling. “And Ross, obviously very grateful, very humble, so to share that moment with his teammates I think is great.”

Although Roberts didn’t say when and for how long Stripling would pitch in the All-Star Game, he made it clear that he will get him in the game. (Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

This is the first All-Star selection for the Blue Bell, Pennsylvania native and Dodgers 2012 fifth-round draft pick (out of Texas A&M), who is currently 7-2 on the season with a 2.55 ERA. He has also struck out 103 while walking only 13 in his combined 89.1 innings pitched.

“That’s pretty cool,” Stripling told SportsNet LA’s Alanna Rizzo when asked what it was like hearing ‘All-Star’ in front of his name. “That was something that honestly I didn’t think maybe you’d ever hear for me in my career. Just to think of where this year started, in the bullpen out of spring training to make my way into the starting rotation, and now an All-Star is really special, really cool. Obviously something I don’t take for granted.”

Stripling was his normal witty self during his in-game interview with SportsNet LA’s Alanna Rizzo about his All-Star selection. (Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)

Although Stripling will join Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, closer Kenley Jansen, and 2017 National League World Series manager Dave Roberts on July 17 at Nationals Park in Washington DC for the 89th Midsummer Classic, they will not be joined by Dodgers superhero Max Muncy.

…sort of.

Muncy, who finished third in the All-Star Final Vote (from which they take only one), will represent the Dodgers in the extremely popular Home Run Derby, along with Bryce Harper (Nationals), Freddie Freeman (Braves), Jesus Aguilar (Brewers), Javier Baez and Kyle Schwarber (Cubs), Alex Bregman (Astros), and Rhys Hoskins (Phillies).

The 2018 All-Star Game Home Run Derby will be televised live on ESPN on Monday, July 16 beginning at 5:00 p.m. (PT). The 2018 All-Star Game will be televised nationally on FOX Sports, with coverage beginning at 4:30 p.m. (PT).