CHICAGO — One day after etching his name into White Sox history books, outfielder Tristan Peters received another major honor — a spot on the American League All-Star team. Peters was selected as a replacement for Athletics slugger Nick Kurtz, who was forced out of the All-Star Game due to a right thumb sprain.
Kurtz had been slated to start at first base for the American League in next week’s Midsummer Classic. He was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday, with the move backdated to Friday. The 23-year-old sat out as the Athletics fell to the White Sox 14-1 in Chicago. Kurtz is currently hitting .266 on the season with 20 home runs, 66 RBIs, and a league-best 76 walks. Last year, he earned AL Rookie of the Year honors after batting .290 with 36 home runs and 86 RBIs. This marks the second time in his career he has landed on the injured list, following a strained left hip flexor in May 2025.
Peters now joins White Sox teammates Miguel Vargas and Munetaka Murakami on the 2026 All-Star roster. Murakami, a rookie from Japan, was added to the team just Friday — hours before he returned from a six-week absence caused by a right hamstring strain.
Still in his first full major league season, Peters has been nothing short of impressive. The 26-year-old rookie is hitting .303 with six home runs, 35 RBIs, 20 doubles, and three triples. His most recent triple came Friday night in the seventh inning of Chicago’s blowout win over Oakland, completing the cycle and making him the first White Sox player to accomplish the feat since Jose Abreu did it in September 2017.
Peters’ path to Chicago was unconventional. The White Sox acquired his rights from Tampa Bay last December. He had appeared in just four games with the Rays the previous season, going hitless in 12 plate appearances. A former Savannah Banana, Peters has found a home — and a breakout season — in Chicago.
Reflecting on his journey, Peters credited the organization’s support for helping him grow. “The White Sox gave me this opportunity and I went into it just trying to make the most out of it and just be who I am as a player, too,” he said. “I know there was a lot of bunting in the beginning and just trying to figure out who I am at the big league level and you know they give space for that, too. Just an incredibly supportive group and that’s helped me thrive.”
A native of Winkler, Manitoba, Peters became just the second Canadian player in major league history to hit for the cycle. He joins Cleveland right-hander Cade Smith and Miami infielder Otto Lopez — who holds dual Canadian-Dominican citizenship — as Canadian representatives on the 2026 All-Star roster.
Peters admitted that earning an All-Star selection felt like a distant dream at the start of the year, but his perspective shifted as the first half progressed. “I guess toward the end of this first half, I was like ‘OK, maybe there’s a chance,’” he said, “but there’s a lot of really, really talented players in this league.”
