Phillies star pitcher to miss final start before the All-Star break

The All-Star break is coming at a good time for the Philadelphia Phillies. The club just got Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber back from the injured list this week. J.T. Realmuto and Taijuan Walker are currently rehabbing and looking to return sometime after the extended time off. It gives everyone some time to get healthy.

The starting rotation has been thin without Walker, despite his struggles. The club lost his replacement, Spencer Turnbull, after his first start in Walker's absence. Michael Mercado pitched well enough in his first outing, taking the place of the ailing Turnbull, but struggled mightily in his second start.

Mercado was removed from the rotation for his next start on Saturday and replaced by Phillies' newcomer and fan, Tyler Phillips, who had a great debut on Sunday, striking out seven Atlanta Braves in four innings of work.

The rotation took another hit on Tuesday when Zack Wheeler was pulled after the fifth inning due to back tightness. After the game, the Phillies' ace said the goal was to make his next scheduled start, which would be on Sunday, the final day before the break.

Phillies star pitcher Zack Wheeler to miss final start before the All-Star break

That plan has since changed. The Phillies announced prior to Thursday's game that the All-Star pitcher will skip his next scheduled start, per MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. The decision is precautionary at this point and the right-hander is expected to take his new turn through the rotation when play resumes after the break.

The news, while unfortunate, is not the end of the world. Getting Wheeler healthy for the second half must be the main goal for the club in this situation. Plus, the Phillies play the struggling Oakland Athletics, who sport the second-lowest winning percentage in the American League, this upcoming weekend.

Who could start in place of Wheeler on Sunday?

With Phillips entering the rotation for Saturday's start, it appears that the likely starter for the Phillies on Sunday would be Mercado. While nothing has been made official, it would make the most sense, given the fact that the club won't be placing Wheeler on the IL, so no corresponding call-up will be made.

Mercado is stretched out enough to give the team innings. Should he get the nod for the first-half finale, he will face a much weaker offense than the Braves offense he faced last weekend. It should give him a chance to redeem himself.

This turn through the rotation will be the thinnest that the club has had to deal with all season. Luckily, with the return of Harper and Schwarber and Trea Turner's torrid hot streak, the club can persevere through the final few games before the All-Star break and head into the second half with some momentum.