MLB pitcher Liam Hendriks becomes just third Aussie to be named an All-Star

Australian pitcher Liam Hendriks has been named a Major League Baseball All-Star.

The MLB announced that Hendriks and Shane Bieber were named to the American League's All-Star squad to replace Mike Minor and Charlie Morton.

It is the latest step in a fairytale resurgence for the 30-year-old from Perth who a year ago was struggling for form and was dropped by the Oakland Athletics to a minor league team in Nashville.

Since his return to the bigs, Hendriks has been in career-best form as the A's closer. He has an MLB-best 0.96 ERA as a reliever, with 58 strikeouts and he has held opposing batters to a .193 average. 

Hendriks will suit up alongside MLB superstars Mike Trout, Justin Verlander and Carlos Santana for the American League against the National League's best in Tuesday's (Wednesday AEST) All-Star game in Cleveland.

"It's been a whirlwind for sure, but it was almost necessary for me to go down there and gain perspective, get rid of the ego," Hendriks, describing his two-month stint in the minor leagues last year, told reporters.

He is the third Australian to be named an All-Star, following catcher Dave Nilsson (1999) and closer Grant Balfour (2013).

Hendriks is coming in with great form, after being named AL Reliever of the Month in June after recording a 0.60 ERA with 22 strikeouts.

"It's such an honour trying to gain credit for the Australian Baseball League and get the momentum going over there," Hendriks said.

"Anytime an Australian guy does anything over here, it positively impacts the game there."