The final results of the fan voting for the "Mynavi All-Star Game 2026" (July 28th at Tokyo Dome, 29th at Toyama) were announced on the 7th, with Orix Buffaloes pitcher Andrés Machado receiving the most votes in Pacific League closer category.

This will be his second appearance in the tournament, following his selection as a replacement player for a player who declined in 2024, his first year in Japan. This will be his first time being selected by fan vote, and he expressed his delight, saying, "I am very happy to have been chosen by the fans. I had a great time last time, so I am looking forward to it again this year."

In his third year with the team this season, he represented Venezuela in the WBC in March, pitching in six games, including the quarterfinal against Japan. He was win pitcher in the final against the United States, contributing to his country's first-ever world championship.

After returning to Japan, he was on the bench from the start of the season and worked tirelessly as the team's closer. He overpowered hitter with his blazing fastball, which reached speeds exceeding 160 km/h, and change-up in the 150 km/h range, setting a new team record of 14 consecutive saves from the game against Softbank Hawks on April 19 (Mizuho PayPay Dome) to the game against Chunichi on May 31 (Kyocera Dome Osaka).

In the game against Seibu Lions on the 5th (Kyocera Dome Osaka), he reached 20 saves for the third consecutive year since joining the team, breaking his own record as a foreign player for the club. As of before the game on the 7th, he had appeared in 28 games, with a record of 1 win and 0 losses, 20 saves (second in the league), 4 hold, and an ERA of 1.21, demonstrating ERA.

The venue for the second game is Toyama, which was damaged by the earthquake in January 2024. In light of the earthquake that struck his home country of Venezuela in June, he said with a solemn expression, "Many people have died in both Venezuela and Toyama. It is very heartbreaking. I want to pitch for the sake of the families of those who have died."

"I'm looking forward to facing any of the players. This is my third year in Japan, and I've become friends with players from other teams, so I want to deepen those friendships at the All-Star Game." The "Guardian of Orix" has not yet blown a save this season. "I think the Japanese fans are the best in the world. I want to strike out struck out in front of the best fans," he said confidently.