Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) tips his cap to the crowd after recording his 3,000th career strikeout against Chicago White Sox's Vinny Capra during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

MILWAUKEE — Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw appreciates his 11th career All-Star Game selection while acknowledging this one’s a little different from the rest.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner has made only nine starts this season but still got selected to the National League team as a Legend Pick by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, under a provision in the collective bargaining agreement.

“You never take for granted getting to go to an All-Star Game, regardless of the circumstances,” Kershaw said Monday before the Dodgers played the Milwaukee Brewers. “Obviously, I don’t deserve to get to go this season. I haven’t pitched very much.”

This marked the first time Manfred made a Legend Pick for the All-Star Game since 2022, when Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols both received that designation.

“I didn’t really actually know that was a thing,” Kershaw said. “At the end of the day, it’s weird, but it’s cool, so I’m just going to enjoy it.”

The honor comes less than a week after Kershaw recorded his 3,000th career strikeout, becoming just the 20th pitcher to reach that plateau. He’s in his 18th season with the Dodgers, tying Hall of Fame outfielder Zack Wheat and shortstop Bill Russell for the franchise record.

The 37-year-old left-hander didn’t make his season debut until May 17 as he worked his way back from toe and knee surgeries. He also had undergone shoulder surgery after the 2023 season.

He owns a 4-0 record and 3.43 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 44-plus innings.

Reds’ ace still hurting

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Reds have delayed the start of a rehabilitation assignment for ace Hunter Greene due to tightness in his strained right groin.

Manager Terry Francona said Monday before the Reds began a three-game series against Miami that Greene would undergo another MRI exam “out of an abundance of caution.”

Greene had been scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, but that was put on hold after the discomfort arose following a bullpen session on Sunday. The right-hander, who’s on his second injured list stint because of the muscle strain, told reporters he was feeling strong before the setback but will take his status “day by day.”

After the injury first popped up during a start on May 7, Greene returned after the minimum 15-day stay on the IL and made three starts before being pulled early from the last one on June 3. The Reds were aiming to have Greene back right after the All-Star break, but the timetable for his return is now less clear.

Greene, who was the second overall pick in the 2017 draft, was well on his way before the injury to a second straight All-Star Game selection by posting a 2.72 ERA with 73 strikeouts in 59ª innings over 11 starts..

More woes for the O’s

ATLANTA — The Baltimore Orioles acquired Alex Jackson from the New York Yankees on Sunday after Gary Sanchez became their fourth catcher on the injured list.

Sanchez left Saturday night’s game against Atlanta with right knee pain and an MRI revealed a sprain. Interim manager Tony Mansolino said he did not have a timetable for Sánchez’s recovery.

Baltimore, which has 14 players on the IL, sent the Yankees $250,000 in international signing bonus pool allocation and a player to be named or cash.

Two-time All-Star Adley Rutschman has not played since June 19 because of a left oblique strain, Maverick Handley has been on the concussion IL since a collision at the plate with the Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. on June 22 and Chadwick Tromp hasn’t played since June 30 because of a lower back strain.

Jacob Stallings, who replaced Sanchez in Saturday’s 9-6 win over the Braves in 10 innings, and Jackson, who was with the team for Sunday’s game in Atlanta, will form the new depth chart at catcher. Stallings’ contract was selected from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday.

Mansolino said he is confident Jackson and Stallings, who started on Sunday, have the experience needed “to quickly catch up and make themselves an asset.”

Jackson, 29, hit .226 with 10 homers in 44 games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season. He made his major league debut with Atlanta in 2019 and also has played for Miami and Milwaukee.