It was egregious enough that Zack Wheeler didn't make the NL All-Star team outright in his home ballpark, even if his Sunday start ruled him out of the action. It's even more absurd that, due to league rules, he couldn't be selected as a replacement, with MLB instead favoring Riley O'Brien, Braxton Ashcraft and Jesus Luzardo. Wheeler wasn't shy about being left off the team, putting the league on blast for not recognizing his outstanding season thus far, in which he has a 2.28 ERA after undergoing successful thoracic outlet decompression surgery in September of 2025.
Few players know what Wheeler's rebound from that surgery was like, but those who play with him on a daily basis have a decent idea. Kyle Schwarber, for one, thinks Wheeler deserves an All-Star appearance on merit alone. His storyline, which ought to be an inspiring one in his home ballpark early next week, only adds to the intrigue.
"When someone is putting up the numbers and deserves it, you want them to just get that nod."
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) July 8, 2026
Kyle Schwarber advocates for Zack Wheeler, who got snubbed for an All-Star spot based on a technicality. | @WapnerNewman pic.twitter.com/e29HDdsZJ1
Zack Wheeler deserves an NL All-Star nod, but Phillies pitcher might not get one
Wheeler wasn't passed over as a replacement because he doesn't deserve it. Rather, a vague MLB rule eliminates the Phillies pitcher as an option entirely. To put it simply, Wheeler cannot pitch during the All-Star Game because he is slated to start on Sunday, and would receive just a couple days of rest in between outings. While we can understand why MLB would go this route — the increased injury risk alone isn't worth the headache — the league ought to make an exception for players willing to put that risk aside.
"It pisses me off," Wheeler said. "It's kind of BS. Maybe if I wasn't necessarily right in there, I wouldn't be saying this, but I feel like I've earned it … Just because I pitch on a certain day, I can't pitch an All-Star Game, or even be there, or get the recognition for it."
To the point above, Wheeler is fine with taking on the additional risk. The MLB All-Star Game is a high-leverage outing, as Wheeler would be forced to face some of the best hitters in baseball on little rest. Yet, the fact that he cannot even be recognized for his efforts this season is a loophole MLB ought to close.
"I feel fine the second and third days (after a start), when I usually throw my bullpen," Wheeler added. "So I'd be fine throwing an inning, but it's not even an option, I guess."
Kyle Schwarber and Zack Wheeler have a point about the MLB All-Star Game
If MLB prefers Wheeler not pitch due to the added injury risk, especially for a player coming off offseason surgery, that is one thing. To not acknowledge the great season he's had to date is another. As Schwarber said in his postgame commentary, Wheeler deserves the nod, even if it means his actual usage is limited, or he's forced to sit out altogether.
The league has a very easy solution to this, and it's to simply name Wheeler (and players like him) to the All-Star team. Failing to do so because of a technicality, or because a contending team like the Phillies would rather Wheeler start a game that actually counts, goes against the spirit of the midsummer classic itself.
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