"Willson Contreras says he went to the Red Sox and told them he would not be willing to waive his no-trade clause. He wants to finish his career in Boston. Joked that he got out ahead of potential rumors by making his stance clear."
Contreras added a heartfelt line: "I've found my family."
He's having the best season of his career, and he even made it to the Home Run Derby in addition to his All-Star selection.
Clearly, Contreras feels comfortable in Boston, and this isn't the last year of his contract, so it wouldn't be overly key for the Red Sox to consider trading him even if rumors had been true.
But considering Contreras doesn't plan on leaving, it's all a moot point.
Boston has turned things around heading into the All-Star Break, a nine-game winning streak giving them a chance of doing big things in the second half.
It'll certainly give them a better chance of making noise and chasing a playoff spot if Contreras is in the lineup. And he's not planning on wearing any other uniforms this season.
Baseball's biggest stars will arrive at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday night for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game.
There is no shortage of stars who will take the field, from Philadelphia native Mike Trout (Angels) and Yordan Alvarez (Astros) for the American League to Juan Soto (Mets) and Freddie Freeman (Dodgers) for the National League.
Aroldis Chapman, Willson Contreras and Ceddanne Rafaela will represent the Red Sox in the Midsummer Classic, but starting pitcher Ranger Suarez will not be available to play. He was recently placed on the 15-day IL with a groin injury.
Follow along right here for live updates and highlights from the 2026 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night.
MLB All-Star Game 2026 score
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
F
American League
3
0
0
0
0
0
3
National League
0
0
0
0
0
0
MLB All-Star Game 2026 live updates, highlights
10:12 p.m.: Though Contreras gets on, Randy Arozarena grounds out to short the next at-bat to end the top of the sixth.
We head to the bottom of the inning with the score still 3-0 American League.
10:11 p.m.: Willson Contreras is in business at the All-Star Game.
With two outs in the top of the six, the Red Sox first baseman gets on base with a single.
End of the fifth: American League 3, National League 0
10:00 p.m.: The AL pitching staff is dominating the night, with 9 strikeouts in 15 at-bats so far tonight. Now, it's Nick Martinez of the Tampa Bay Rays who strikes out the first two in the fifth.
Then, Clement makes an acrobatic play on a grounder by Pages to end the inning for the AL. Through five, it remains 3-0.
9:54 p.m.: The 30-year-old rookie Foster Griffin starts the fifth inning by striking out two straight batters. Then, Miguel Vargas lines one to center field, but it's in the range of Andy Pages.
Griffin gets through the top of the fifth in order, and we're halfway through the Midsummer Classic.
9:50 p.m.: Reasons like this show why baseball is America's pastime.
End of the fourth inning: American League 3, National League 0
9:42 p.m.: After Soto gets on, the NL goes down in order, with Muncy popping out to end the inning.
After four, it's still the AL who leads 3-0. The NL has just one hit on the night, courtesy of Soto.
9:37 p.m.: The NL is on-base to start the bottom of the fourth, with Soto drilling a single into the outfield.
9:33 p.m.: The offense has died down at Citizens Bank Park, with Jesus Luzardo getting out the side in order. Greene struck out swinging, followed by Clement and Trout grounding out.
Due up in the fourth for the NL is Soto, Freeman and Abrams.
End of the third inning: American League 3, National League 0
9:28 p.m.: Schwarber grounds out to Witt Jr. to end the third inning, and it's 3-0 AL.
The NL didn't get any runners on in the inning.
9:20 p.m.: With the runners on, Riley O'Brien gets Rice to strike out and the NL gets out unscathed.
We head to the bottom of the third with the AL leading 3-0.
9:15 p.m.: With two runners on, Bobby Witt Jr. hits a fielders choice, with Max Muncy getting out the runner at third before Witt Jr. is safe at first.
The NL is challenging the call.
9:11 p.m.: Langliers is on base for the second time tonight, hitting a blooper single to start the third.
End of the second inning: American League 3, National League 0
9:08 p.m.: Marsh strikes out looking, and it's 3-0 at the end of the second.
The NL can't get any runners on in the inning.
9:06 p.m.: With two outs in the bottom of the second, Brandon Marsh comes up to a standing ovation from the Philadelphia crowd.
9:01 p.m.: The second inning is a quick one for the AL, with three batters going down in order.
The NL will come up in the bottom of the second facing the same deficit.
End of the first inning: American League 3, National League 0
8:55 p.m.: Cease gets Abrams to strike out swinging, and he ends the inning striking out three batters.
The 2026 MLB All-Star Game will air nationally on Fox with Joe Davis (play-by-play) and John Smoltz (analyst) calling the Midsummer Classic.
Viewers can stream the game with fubo, which gives fans the ability to watch ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and 100-plus top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
MLB All-Star Game 2026 date, start time
Date: Tuesday, July 14
Time: 8 p.m. ET
The MLB All-Star Game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 14. The game will be played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
MLB All-Star Game rosters 2026
American League starters
Position
Name
Team
C
Shea Langeliers
Athletics
1B
Ben Rice
Yankees
2B
Ernie Clement
Blue Jays
3B
Junior Caminero
Rays
SS
Bobby Witt Jr.
Royals
OF
Mike Trout
Angels
OF
Riley Greene
Tigers
OF
Cody Bellinger
Yankees
DH
Yordan Alvarez
Astros
Will not play: Byron Buxton, Twins; Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays; Aaron Judge, Yankees; Nick Kurtz, Athletics
It's been a fascinating trade tree to follow since the Devers deal.
He hasn't been his best self in San Francisco, and then the Giants turned around and dealt Kyle Harrison (acquired from the Giants) this offseason in the Caleb Durbin trade with the Brewers.
A lot of moving parts have made it tough to reach overall conclusions about that trade, but that's not really the point here.
It was a subtly cool moment to see Rafaela smile like that when thinking about his time with Devers.
Sometimes, there doesn't have to be any more complicated than that. Two former teammates recall their time fondly in Boston.
With new rules, baseball’s top hitters put on a show during this year’s Home Run Derby. Citizens Bank Park, full of Phillies fans, let it be known that it was their stadium. It was evident when slugger Kyle Schwarber hit home run after home run to the delight of the crowd.
However, the hometown crowd wasn’t enough to stop Jordan Walker. The cool, calm, and collected superstar from St. Louis beat Schwarber to become the first Cardinal to win the Home Run Derby.
Schwarber started the opening round of the HR Derby, which no longer had a timer, with ten home runs, outlasting teammate Bryce Harper to advance. He beat Willson Contreras in the semifinals and hit eleven in the finals. It was thought he had the trophy and chain in the bag.
Unfortunately for him, Walker did not falter under pressure.
Walker, with 22 home runs this year, tied Contreras for the lead in the opening round with thirteen home runs. He hit six to beat Junior Caminero. And then, with Schwarber’s wide lead and the fans booing his every move, except for when he missed a home run, Walker went to work.
Six of Walker’s last swings were home runs. With one out away from losing, Walker hit the game-tying shot and then hit the last shot out of the park for the win. The crowd was shocked by what they saw as Walker remained stone-faced.
Walker wasn't the first player to represent the Cardinals. Albert Pujols, on commentary, appeared three times (as a member of St. Louis). Jim Edmonds, Matt Holliday, and Carlos Beltran also participated in the HR Derby. But Walker was the first to win.
Walker’s win wasn’t the only highlight from the Derby. Outside Schwarber vs. Harper, Contreras hit a ball 490 feet, while several players had key highlights in a short time.
Below are the full results and best highlights from the 2026 Home Run Derby.
Home Run Derby 2026 results
Total home runs
Player
Home Runs
Jordan Walker, Cardinals
31
Kyle Schwarber, Phillies
30
Willson Contreras, Red Sox
21
Junior Caminero, Rays
17
Munetaka Murakami, White Sox
9
Jac Caglianone, Royals
8
Bryce Harper, Phillies
8
Ben Rice, Yankees
7
Round 1 results
Player
Home Runs
Willson Contreras, Red Sox
13
Jordan Walker, Cardinals
13
Jac Caglianone, Royals
8
Munetaka Murakami, White Sox
9
Ben Rice, Yankees
7
Junior Caminero, Rays
12
Kyle Schwarber, Phillies
10
Bryce Harper, Phillies
8
Round 2 results
Willson Contreras vs. Kyle Schwarber
Seed
Player
Home Runs
1
Contreras
8
4
Schwarber
9
Jordan Walker vs. Junior Caminero
Seed
Player
Home Runs
2
Walker
6
3
Caminero
5
Final results
Jordan Walker vs. Kyle Schwarber
Seed
Player
Home Runs
2
Walker
12
4
Schwarber
11
Home Run Derby 2026 live updates, highlights
10:40 p.m. ET: He hit number ten. Oh my. One to tie, two to win. Walker with the tie! And Walker with the win!
10:38 p.m. ET: Walker had five home runs with five swings left. He looked calm. He had eight home runs with one swing left. Walker hit one to center for number nine. Things are getting interesting.
10:35 p.m. ET: The crowd was booing Walker, except for when he missed. He had three home runs with ten swings left. The fans got louder with each miss.
10:28 p.m. ET: Walker time!
10:26 p.m. ET: Schwarber had eight with three swings left. He crushed number nine. And he crushed number ten. He was the first to home run in his "final swing." With the extra swing, he hit number eleven. It ended there to a loud ovation!
MVP chants for Kyle Schwarber as he homers his last swing 🔥
10:24 p.m. ET: Schwarber with a monster shot over 444 feet to start. He had five home runs with eight swings left. Number six went to the second deck. Number seven went 436 feet. Harper is heard saying "It's over."
10:20 p.m. ET: Schwarber up first.
10:17 p.m. ET: Bobby Abreu and Ryan Howard presented the trophy and chain that will be awarded to the winner. Michael Buffer came out again to announce the finals.
10:11 p.m. ET: Contreras had one swing left and eight home runs. He almost got hit by his own pitcher. His night ended, Schwarber advanced. It's Schwarber vs. Walker in the Finals.
10:08 p.m. ET: The fans in Philadelphia were booing Contreras except for when he didn't get a home run. Contreras started to get hot. He hit one 461 feet. Oh he's feeling it. He had six home runs with three swings left.
10:04 p.m. ET: Contreras, Schwarber's former teammate with the Cubs, was up next.
10:03 p.m. ET: Schwarber's shots were getting some distance. He started reaching for home runs. With a loud crowd pulling for him, Schwarber ended the round with nine home runs.
10 p.m. ET: Schwarber tried going all over the field to hit a home run, but to no avail. He hit one with twelve swings left. Schwarber hit one 440 feet. He then started getting hot.
9:56 p.m. ET: Willson Contreras vs. Kyle Schwarber is next. Contreras could be the ultimate villain if he takes out Schwarber.Schwarber is up first.
9:51 p.m. ET: Walker already had three with ten swings left. He hit number five with eight swings. It didn't take long to hit six to take Caminero out and advance to the finals.
Jordan Walker punches his ticket to the Home Run Derby final, eliminating Junior Caminero in the process 👏
9:46 p.m. ET: Caminero started things off with fifteen swings. He hit shots over 400 feet to start. Caminero ended with five home runs. 491 was the longest.
9:41 p.m. ET: Contreras will take on Schwarber, while Caminero faces Walker.
It will be Contreras, Caminero, Walker and Schwarber in contention for the trophy.
9:34 p.m. ET: After making things interesting, Harper ended his night with eight home runs. He is out.
9:31 p.m. ET: Harper hit one over the batter's eye. He then hit his fourth 482 feet. With ten swings left, he had four home runs. It's looking unlikely he can beat Schwarber.
9:28 p.m. ET: Harper is up next. Looks like only one member of the Phillies will make it to the next round.
9:26 p.m. ET: Schwarber continued to hit massive shots. He had nine home runs with two swings left. He ended the first round with ten. Will he survive, or will Bryce Harper take his teammate out?
9:23 pm. ET: After missing a few, Schwarber started mashing home runs. They were short and sweet. He then hit a monster shot 414 feet, and another 451.
9:20 p.m. ET: Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber is next to a loud ovation.
9:18 p.m. ET: Caminero ended his night with twelve home runs.
9:17 p.m. ET: Caminero started crushing the ball over 470 feet. Some were line drives. He had eight home runs with eight swings left. One went 487 feet. He hit his tenth home run 479 feet. And his eleventh 478.
WHAT A GRAB FROM THIS FAN ON A 487 FOOT JUNIOR CAMINERO HOME RUN 👏
9:12 p.m. ET: Junior Caminero, the runner-up from last year, is up next.
9:09 p.m. ET: Rice struggled to start, with four home runs with seven swings left. His dad was not helping his cause. He ended his night with seven home runs.
9:04 p.m. ET: Compared to normal Home Run Derby's, where the crowd cheers everything, the crowd in Philadelphia, majority Phillies fans, only cheer for Harper and Schwarber. Fascinating.
9:02 p.m. ET: Ben Rice of the Yankees is next.
8:56 p.m. ET: Murakami started slow, just like Caglianone. He did start landing big shots to right. Murakami passed Caglianone with nine home runs. His run ended there.
8:47 p.m. ET: With his dad pitching to him, Caglianone struggled at first. With eleven pitches and only one home run, Caglianone started getting hot. He hit one to right field over 477 feet! He hit one over the batter's eye. Oh my!
8:44 p.m. ET: Young royals player Jac Caglianone is up next.
8:41 p.m. ET: After a slow start, Walker started crushing the balls. He was tinkering with his swing, which affected his performance. With two swings left, he hit two home runs. With the new rules, the round did not end. But he failed to keep the at-bat going. Walker tied Contreras with 13 home runs.
Not Philly fans booing after this kid didn’t make the catch 😭
8:37 p.m. ET: Jordan Walker was up next. The Cardinals hitter hit a few lasers to left field to start. Walker was patient with his swings to start.
8:32 p.m. ET: With one swing left, Contreras had 13 home runs. His last shot didn't make it over the wall.
8:29 p.m. ET: Contreras barely missed a shot on his second pitch. Contreras made up for it with a second-deck shot. He hit his second shot over 440 feet. One shot went over 482 feet! Another one went 487 and then one went 470 feet. One went 490!
8:03 p.m. ET: Boxing's Michael Buffer kicks things off, getting the crowd hyped for the expected action.
8 p.m. ET: Here we go! The Home Run Derby has begun!
6 p.m. ET: Here is the official order for the first round of the Derby. Willson Contreras kicks things off on Netflix, while Bryce Harper will go last.
Updated batting order for tonight's @TMobile Home Run Derby:
Coulombe's Spotrac page, which has his contract details, shows that if he pitches in 30 games this season, he makes $75,000.
He'd make another $75,000 each if he pitched in 35, then 40, then 45 games.
As mentioned above, Coulombe has appeared in 29 games this season for the Red Sox.
If there was a time to make this move, this was the time.
"The 36-year-old Coulombe did earn $250,000 bonuses for being on the active roster for 30, 60, and 90 days this season, so he wound up netting $1.75 million from the Red Sox for half a season," On SI's Jackson Roberts wrote on Sunday.
Boston needed to clear space anyway with Brayan Bello back in MLB and Ranger Suarez on his way to healing, as well.
Coulombe is nearing the end of his major league career, but it seems he could still get a chance elsewhere as a lefty specialist.
Early in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Boston Red Sox picked a few players earlier than many expected.
But because MLB bonus pools can be spread out however a team chooses throughout a draft class, that allowed them to take a big swing later on Martin Shelar, a high school outfielder.
Shelar is committed to Mississippi State, and teams aren't sure whether he'll sign, which is why he was available in the ninth round.
The Red Sox must've felt they can offer him an over-slot deal to have a chance of landing him.
The Boston Red Sox have completed their 2026 MLB Draft class.
They kicked it off with a couple of players from the University of North Carolina, but then they hit a wide variety of talents from there.
The draft used to be 40 rounds and even longer, but these days it's 20 rounds, along with some potential compensatory picks.
The MLB Draft also has more of a delay in impact at the highest level than the other major sports. These guys will first put their work in across the minor leagues.
But the big first step is being drafted, and all the players below had the big news this weekend of being picked by the Red Sox.
When things are going well, they just keep going well.
The Boston Red Sox needed some help from New York Mets star shortstop on Sunday, but in the end, a blunder by Lindor propelled Boston toward yet another win -- stretching the win streak to nine in a row.
The Red Sox trailed 2-0 in the ninth with a runner on first and one out when Romy Gonzalez hit a sharp grounder to the shortstop Lindor.
If he fields cleanly, it's probably a groundball double play.
It also includes Owen Hull, who went off the board at No. 67 overall and we'll focus on here.
He was technically part of the Competitive Balance Round B, but he's more or less a second-round pick.
Hull is one of those guys who looks the part from the moment he gets off the bus, standing 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds.
He had an oddly slow start to his college career at George Mason, but he eventually became one of the best players in college baseball for the Tar Heels.
"After going just 4-for-22 as a George Mason freshman in 2024, Hull slashed .367/.474/.557 and ranked fourth in NCAA Division I in runs (83) and 10th in steals (42) last spring," MLB.com wrote in its draft blurb about Hull. "He boosted his line to .393/.500/.615 after transferring to North Carolina, finishing second in D-I in hits (103) and RBI (87) and third in doubles (27) while leading the Tar Heels to a runner-up finish at the College World Series. At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, he offers one of the best combinations of physicality and athleticism in the college ranks."
The only question mark is the nature of Hull's swing.
"The complicating factor with Hull is that scouts don't love his unorthodox left-handed swing, which can get rigid and features so-so bat speed," MLB.com writes. "He controls the strike zone well and makes hard contact with ease, but he also hits a lot of balls on the ground. He did start to hit for more power later in the season and has enough raw pop to produce 15-20 homers annually as a pro if he can make adjustments."
The Red Sox will be hoping that the results of the swing continue to be good, regardless of the swing itself.
Hull has enough speed to potentially play centerfield, or he could end up in right.
Either way, it's a Tar Heel blue tint to this year's Red Sox draft class.