Ryan Braun Makes All-Star Squad For The First Time Since PED Suspension

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun was named to the National League All-Star squad, replacing St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday, who is out due to a quad injury. Braun, who also played in the All-Star games from 2008 to 2012, will make the team for the first time since being suspended for 65 games by the league due to performance-enhancing drugs use in 2013.

Los Angles rookie Joe Pederson will replace Holliday in the National League All-Stars starting line-up, ESPN reported. Holliday, who has a Grade 2 strain quadriceps, preferred the extra rest during the All-Star break.

“We always approach this in a realistic way. He’s an All-Star and we’d love to have him back in the lineup. But I don’t want to have him back for a day or two and then find out he’s going to be out for a longer period of time,” Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Saturday.

“I think it makes sense to take the All-Star break and pick up an extra week to let him heal and that’s what he needs.”

Braun, who has now made the All-Star team in six of nine seasons in the MLB, has played in 84 games this season. In 309 at-bats, the 31-year-old has 55 RBIs, 12 stolen bases and 15 home runs.