Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler has declined an invitation to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, stating he felt "disrespected" by the selection process. Wheeler informed reporters that he refused the offer to be added to the National League roster for the upcoming game, which is scheduled to be played at his home ballpark.
"They disrespected me, so I'm just not going to participate in that thing," Wheeler said, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia. He expressed that he did not want to be considered a "fifth option" and felt that his previous snubs indicated a lack of respect.
Wheeler has compiled a 9-1 record with a 2.28 earned run average over 14 starts and 87 innings pitched this season. Despite his strong performance, he was not included on the initial roster or in the first round of replacements for the National League.
He emphasized that his issue lies with the player selection process rather than the All-Star Game itself. "Maybe I didn't earn it from the get-go, but maybe just second choice," Wheeler commented. "Once I feel like they kind of messed that up, I'm out."
Following his team's game on Tuesday, during which he tied a career-high with 14 strikeouts against the Cincinnati Reds, Wheeler called his performance "a reminder for whoever needs to be reminded." He had missed the first month of the season while recovering from thoracic outlet surgery.
Wheeler, a three-time All-Star in his career, acknowledged the pride players take in the designation. "Guys do take a lot of pride to having the All-Star next to your name," he said. "During your career and after your career -- and people who build them stuff after your career might look at that, too. For somebody to kind of take that away from me, it doesn't sit the best."
Six of Wheeler's Phillies teammates are scheduled to represent the team in the All-Star Game: Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Christopher Sanchez, Jhoan Duran, Brandon Marsh, and Jesus Luzardo.