Atlanta's Austin Riley Added to 2022 NL All-Star Team; Replaces Nolan Arenado

Austin Riley is no longer the biggest snub from the 2022 MLB All-Star Game after the Atlanta Braves third baseman was added to the National League roster Saturday.

Riley will take the place of Nolan Arenado.

MLB Communications @MLB_PR

Three players have been added to the 2022 All-Star rosters, including @BlueJays 2B Santiago Espinal, @Braves 3B Austin Riley & @Dodgers LHP Tyler Anderson. Espinal & Riley were added by rule as the next in line via the Player Ballot at their positions, and Anderson is a MLB pick. pic.twitter.com/dH5duGEspD

Riley is an MVP candidate after backing up his breakout 2021 season with another strong campaign, which made it quite a surprise when he wasn't on the initial roster.

The 25-year-old slugger has posted a .282/.345/.568 slash line with 26 home runs, which is tied for third in MLB, in 90 games. His .913 OPS ranks eighth.

"Part of me felt like I did enough," Riley told reporters. "But it is what it is. I get to spend time with my family and my new baby, so I'm not complaining."

Now he'll head to L.A. alongside five teammates: Ronald Acuna Jr., William Contreras, Travis d'Arnaud, Dansby Swanson and Max Fried.

Atlanta, the reigning World Series champion, owns MLB's fifth-best record at 55-37 with two games left before the break.

It's the first All-Star selection for Riley, who won the Silver Slugger Award and was voted to the All-MLB first team last season.

"He's having a great, great year," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said after the team's 8-4 win over the Washington Nationals on Friday. "He's going to continue to have one, too. So, I'm happy for him."

Riley will be a potent bat off the bench for the NL, which will attempt to end an eight-year losing streak against the American League.

The game will take place at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.