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Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler missed the first few weeks of the season recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome, but from the way he looked on the mound, no one could have guessed.
The 36-year-old is pitching like an All-Star, but has not yet been named as such, and Wheeler believes the result is a “rule of nonsense.”
In 14 starts, Wheeler is pitching to a 2.28 ERA (22 earned runs/87.0 innings pitched) and a 0.908 WHIP. Both would be the best of their careers. Wheeler is just five innings away from qualifying for the ERA title (one inning per team game played, meaning essentially 162 innings), but among pitchers with at least 80 innings under his belt, his ERA is the sixth-lowest.
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Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in the second inning at Great American Ball Park. (Aaron Doster/Image Images)
However, it is not the injury that prevents the Philadelphia Phillies pitcher from playing in the Midsummer Classic at his home stadium, but rather his throwing schedule, he said.
“It bothers me. It’s kind of silly, so. Maybe if I wasn’t necessarily right, I wouldn’t be saying this, but I feel like I’ve earned it, and just because I pitch on a certain day, I can’t pitch in the All-Star Game or even be there or get the recognition for it…” Wheeler told reporters Tuesday.
“I think it’s kind of a bullshit rule, I guess just because I pitch on a certain day, I get punished for it.”
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler pitches against the Texas Rangers in the second inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutiérrez)
THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA MAY HAVE LEAKED A FEW HOURS OF MLB ALL-STARS BEFORE THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT
Wheeler pitched seven one-run innings while striking out 14 Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday, which would line him up to start Sunday on normal rest, two days before the All-Star break.
“The second and third day (of rest) is when I normally throw my bullpen,” Wheeler said, noting that he would have been fine pitching one inning in the All-Star Game, as most pitchers do anyway.
Pitching schedules have determined who is available for the Midsummer Classic, but it is not known if they have strictly determined All-Star selections.
According to someone familiar with the selection process, most All-Star Game pitching selections are made through a joint process between MLB and the MLB Players Association, in which players and coaches select five starting pitchers in each league before MLB fills several of the remaining roster spots. Jacob Misiorowski, Cristopher Sánchez, Chris Sale, Chase Burns and Paul Skenes were selected through that process.
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) throws a pitch against the New York Mets in the second inning at Citizens Bank Park. (Kyle Ross/Image Images)
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Players have been snubbed in the past due to MLB’s rule that at least one player from each team must be represented.
The All-Stars were announced earlier this week, but more reserves could be added, many of which will be determined by availability for the game.
