Wheeler's All-Star Snub
Zack Wheeler Declines Late All-Star Invitation, Citing Disrespect in Selection Process
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Key Points
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The late All-Star invitation arrived on Thursday night before the Phillies' weekend series against Detroit, and Wheeler declined, saying he would not be 'the fifth option' and that he felt disrespected by the process.
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Reporters noted the invitation came after Wheeler had been left off the original NL roster, with MLB later offering a replacement spot amid backlash as a perceived attempt to save face.
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Wheeler entered the weekend 9-1 with a 2.28 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 87 innings, underlining why many believed he deserved a spot on the roster despite the snub.
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In his most recent standout performance, Wheeler logged a 14-strikeout, seven-inning win over the Reds, a highlight that underscored the case for his selection.
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This marks the Phillies’ second straight All-Star snub, following Cristopher Sánchez last season, with Wheeler publicly citing a sense of disrespect as a primary driver of his decision to decline.
Zack Wheeler has turned down a late invitation to the National League All-Star Game, saying MLB "disrespected" him by leaving him off the original roster. The New York Times reported Wheeler called the offer "BS," refusing to be treated as a backup after posting a 9-1 record with a 2.28 ERA this season.
The invitation arrived Thursday night, just before the Phillies opened a weekend series against Detroit. Wheeler made clear he would not accept a spot under those terms. "I'm not gonna be disrespected," he said, according to USA Today.
Wheeler Refuses to Be MLB's Fifth Option
Wheeler was left off the original NL All-Star roster entirely. MLB later offered him a replacement spot after public backlash grew. He said no. Wheeler told reporters he refused to be "the fifth option" — meaning a player only asked after several others had already been chosen or declined.
Yahoo Sports reported Wheeler felt the late call was an attempt by MLB to save face rather than a genuine recognition of his season. His replacement on the roster will be Justin Wrobleski, according to Dose.
Wheeler's Numbers Made the Snub Hard to Defend
Wheeler entered the weekend with a 9-1 record, a 2.28 ERA, and 98 strikeouts in just 87 innings pitched. Those are among the best numbers of any starting pitcher in baseball this season. Many analysts and fans pointed to those stats as clear All-Star credentials.
His most recent start stood out sharply. Wheeler struck out 14 batters over seven innings against the Cincinnati Reds. That performance came just days before the All-Star roster was announced — and still was not enough to earn him a spot the first time around.
Wheeler's Comeback Made the Oversight More Striking
Wheeler, 36, was recovering from thoracic outlet surgery — a procedure that repairs a compressed nerve or blood vessel near the shoulder. Coming back healthy and pitching at this level made his season even more remarkable. His omission from the roster surprised many in baseball circles.
Wheeler said the All-Star Game itself still means something to him. His issue was with how the process played out, not the event. He wanted to be chosen on merit from the start — not called in through the back door after the real picks were set.
Phillies Face Second Straight All-Star Snub Controversy
This is not the first time a Phillies pitcher has felt overlooked. Last season, starter Cristopher Sánchez was also left off the All-Star roster in what many saw as a similar slight. The back-to-back snubs have put a spotlight on how MLB selects its rosters each year.
Meanwhile, the Phillies remain well above .500 and are anchored by big names like Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, both set to take part in the Home Run Derby. The Wheeler situation has sparked wide debate across sports media about whether the All-Star selection process is fair or broken.
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