Hiroki Kuroda, who returned to Hiroshima this year after seven impressive big league seasons, was voted onto the Central League All-Star team though the fans ballot, Nippon Professional Baseball announced Friday.
The 40-year-old Carp veteran is 6-2 this season with a 2.72 ERA. He drew 231,380 votes, with Yomiuri Giants rookie Hayato Takagi second in the voting with 177,443.
Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters ace and designated hitter Shohei Otani was the fan favorite among Pacific League starting pitchers. The 20-year-old Otani, who is 9-1 with a 1.47 ERA, leads both leagues in wins and has an NPB-high 99 strikeouts. He received 381,834 votes in the fan ballot.