Ryan Braun replaces injured Matt Holliday for NL; Joc Pederson to start

— -- Ryan Braun is an All-Star for the first time since his 2013 steroid suspension.

The Milwaukee Brewers outfielder was named to the National League All-Star team Sunday to replace injured St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday.

Los Angeles Dodgers rookie Joc Pederson will replace Holliday in the NL starting lineup.

For Braun, it's the sixth All-Star honor of his career but first since the 65-game suspension he served at the end of the 2013 season in connection with the Biogenesis scandal.

"I recognize how difficult it is to get an opportunity to go to the All-Star Game ever, and the fact I get to go to another one is definitely special," Braun told reporters Sunday, according to MLB.com.

Braun hit a solo home run in his first at-bat Sunday to give him 16 on the season. He had just 19 last season in 580 plate appearances. 

Holliday had been selected by the fans to start for the NL but has been sidelined since June 8 with a quadriceps injury.

Pederson entered Sunday's game with 20 homers, 40 RBIs and a .230 batting average.