Shohei Ohtani was named as a starter for the All-Star Game, MLB announced Thursday, making him the first Japanese player voted to start since Ichiro Suzuki made his final all-star appearance in 2010.
Voted the American League's starting designated hitter in a fan ballot, the Los Angeles Angels' two-way player, a first-time all-star, will be the fourth Japanese to bat in the midsummer classic after Ichiro, Hideki Matsui and Kosuke Fukudome.
He is the first Japanese designated hitter selected to an MLB All-Star team.