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Phillies pitcher declines All-Star roster addition after multiple snubs
Zack Wheeler turned down an MLB invitation to join the National League All-Star roster as an injury replacement. He said he felt disrespected by not being selected earlier in the process.
Jul 12, 8:27 AM·1m read1 source
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Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler declined an invitation to join the National League All-Star roster as an injury replacement. Wheeler told reporters he was contacted by Major League Baseball on Friday but refused the spot. He said he did not want to be the fifth option after not appearing on the initial roster or subsequent replacement lists.
"They disrespected me, so I'm just not gonna participate in that thing," Wheeler said, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Selection timeline The initial National League roster was announced last weekend.
Wheeler was not included, and he was also left off replacement additions announced Tuesday. Wheeler recorded 14 strikeouts against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday, tying a career high.
Performance and context Wheeler is 9-1 with a 2.28 ERA in 14 starts this season.
He missed the first month recovering from thoracic outlet surgery but has posted a 0.91 WHIP and 4.3 WAR while striking out 98 batters in 87 innings. Wheeler has been selected to the All-Star Game three times in his 12-year career, including the past two seasons.
The game is scheduled for Tuesday at the Phillies' home ballpark. Six Phillies players are on the roster. Wheeler is scheduled to start Sunday against Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal.
