Zack Wheeler Declines Late All-Star Invite After Feeling Disrespected by Process DETROIT — Zack Wheeler was left off the National League All-Star roster. Then he was asked to go anyway. Wheeler said Friday that he was invited as a late addition to the All-Star Game but declined, saying he felt disrespected by the way the process played out. Wheeler entered the weekend 9-1 with a 2.28 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 87 innings, a first-half résumé that made the initial omission sting even more. “Because they disrespected me,” Wheeler said. “So I’m just not gonna participate in that thing.” Wheeler said he was asked Friday night before the Phillies opened their weekend series against the Tigers. By then, his decision had already been made. “I’m not gonna be the fifth option,” Wheeler said. Philadelphia Phillies Find the latest Philadelphia Phillies news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Philadelphia. Before Ricky Bottalico was a Phillies voice, 1996 All-Star Game gave him a mic Phillies select Tyler Spangler, a ‘total package' shortstop, in MLB draft Dodgers left-handed starter Justin Wrobleski was added to the roster. The frustration stems from Wheeler being left off the original NL team despite a first half that placed him among the league’s best starters. It was the latest step in a comeback that has turned into one of the more impressive individual stories of the Phillies’ season, and across the league. Wheeler underwent thoracic outlet surgery last year after a blood clot was discovered in his right shoulder. He lost weight, rebuilt strength and pushed through a long rehab to return as one of the sport’s most effective pitchers. Wheeler said he did not need that comeback story to factor into the All-Star decision.#philadelphia_phillies #cristopher_sanchez #zack_wheeler #national_league_all_star_game #philadelphia_phillies_clubhouse
Zack Wheeler Declines All-Star Game Invite: 'Not Gonna Be Disrespected' Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler refused an invitation to the National League All-Star Game after being approached as a replacement player, citing feelings of disrespect over his exclusion from the initial roster. The 36-year-old pitcher, who had already made his decision, criticized Major League Baseball’s rule that bars pitchers from starting on the final Sunday of the first half of the season from participating in the All-Star Game. Wheeler expressed frustration over being left off the original list, which he described as a “fifth choice” and a sign of being “disrespected.” Wheeler, who underwent thoracic outlet surgery last season and missed the start of this campaign, returned to form after being activated on April 25. He has since posted a 9-1 record with a 2.28 ERA and 98 strikeouts across 14 starts, including a standout performance on July 7 against the Cincinnati Reds. In a 4-1 Phillies victory, he tied his career high with 14 strikeouts, a display he described as one of his best of the season. Wheeler linked his decision to decline the All-Star bid to the frustration of being excluded from the initial selection process. “I felt like that was kind of a reminder for whoever needs to be reminded,” Wheeler said, adding that the rule—“just because I pitch on a certain day, I get punished for it”—felt unfair. He emphasized the importance of All-Star recognition for pitchers, noting that the honor carries weight beyond the season, influencing legacy and post-retirement perceptions. “Guys do take a lot of pride in 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.#philadelphia_phillies #major_league_baseball #citizens_bank_park #zack_wheeler #national_league_all_star_game
Zack Wheeler Rejects All-Star Game Invite After Snubs: 'Not Gonna Be the Fifth Option' Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler said he declined an invitation to join the National League All-Star roster, expressing frustration over being overlooked multiple times. The veteran right-hander, who has been a dominant force for the Phillies this season, stated he felt "disrespected" by the selection process and chose not to participate in the event. Wheeler, who did not make the initial NL All-Star roster and was also omitted from a list of replacement additions, described his decision as a rejection of what he called a "fifth option" role. Wheeler, 36, emphasized that his issue was not with the All-Star Game itself but with the way Major League Baseball (MLB) handled the selection process. "Maybe I didn't earn it from the get-go, but maybe just second choice," he said. "Once I feel like they kind of messed that up, I'm out." His comments came after he was invited by MLB on Friday to replace an injured player but refused, stating he would not accept a backup role. The 9-1, 2.28 ERA pitcher, who has made 14 starts for the Phillies this season, highlighted his strong performance as a reason for his All-Star candidacy. Despite missing the first month of the season recovering from thoracic outlet surgery, Wheeler has returned to form, posting a 0.91 WHIP, a 4.3 WAR, and striking out 98 batters over 87 innings. His recent outing against the Cincinnati Reds, where he tied a career-high with 14 strikeouts, underscored his dominance. Wheeler’s frustration with the selection process was amplified by his exclusion from the initial roster and the replacement list. "They disrespected me, so I'm just not going to participate in that thing," he said, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia.#philadelphia_phillies #major_league_baseball #national_league #zack_wheeler #citizen_s_bank_park
Zack Wheeler's Resilience Shines in Dominant Performance Despite Struggles Zack Wheeler delivered a masterclass in adaptability on Monday night, turning a shaky start into a dominant outing that underscored his reputation as a pitcher who consistently elevates his game under pressure. Despite struggling to locate his fastball early in the game and facing challenges with his breaking ball, Wheeler managed to pitch six scoreless innings, striking out nine batters while allowing just two hits. His performance highlighted his ability to thrive even when his usual tools aren’t fully dialed in, a trait that has defined his career. The game began with Wheeler clearly out of sync, as he failed to command his fastball in the first inning. Of his 11 heaters, five missed the strike zone, with three of those occurring in the first at-bat against Liam Hicks. Hicks, however, managed to work a single on the fourth fastball he saw, which was just slightly outside the zone. The struggles continued as Wheeler’s sweeper, a pitch he typically relies on heavily, performed poorly, with a chase percentage of 12.5%—his worst of the season. Against Otto Lopez, the pitch missed the zone badly, leading to a walk and two baserunners with just three strikes thrown. The turning point came in the third inning when Wheeler executed a well-placed splitter, a pitch he had reintroduced to his arsenal in 2024. The splitter, which he threw 18 times during the game, generated six swings and misses, including a critical strikeout of Kyle Stowers. This moment marked the start of Wheeler’s resurgence, as he gradually regained control of the game. By the end of the night, he had settled into his typical fastball command, using it in conjunction with the splitter to keep hitters off balance.#philadelphia_phillies #zack_wheeler #otto_lopez #don_mattingly #kyle_stowers
Zack Wheeler Isn’t Ready To Give Up His Ace Status Zack Wheeler has defied expectations by reaffirming his status as one of the Philadelphia Phillies’ most valuable pitchers despite lingering questions about his health and age. The right-hander, who was sidelined for much of the 2025 season due to venous thoracic outlet syndrome, has returned to form with a blend of resilience and adaptability, proving that his impact on the team remains significant. Wheeler’s 2025 season was cut short by the injury, which required surgical intervention and left him sidelined for a substantial portion of the 2026 campaign. The condition, which involves compression of blood vessels in the neck and chest, raised concerns about his ability to recover and maintain his previous level of performance. However, Wheeler has not only returned to the mound but has also managed to reclaim his role as a dominant force for the Phillies. The Phillies signed Wheeler to a five-year, $118 million contract before the 2020 season, a deal that was initially viewed as overpaying for a pitcher with a history of injury concerns. Yet, over seven seasons in Philadelphia, Wheeler has delivered a 2.85 ERA, cementing his reputation as one of the greatest bargains in franchise history. His 2025 season, though abbreviated, saw him finish with a 2.01 ERA in 62.2 innings pitched, striking out 62 batters while allowing just 5.5 hits per nine innings. These numbers underscore his continued elite performance, even as he navigates the challenges of his injury recovery. Wheeler’s return to the Phillies’ rotation in late April 2026 marked a critical turning point. Despite missing a month of the regular season, he quickly reestablished himself as a key contributor, showcasing his ability to adapt his game.#philadelphia_phillies #zack_wheeler #venous_thoracic_outlet_syndrome #cy_young_award #fangraphs
Zack Wheeler Returns to Form, Dominates Phillies' Rotation in 2026 Season When Zack Wheeler underwent his season-ending thoracic outlet decompression surgery in September 2025, the Philadelphia Phillies expressed confidence that the veteran right-hander would return to his pre-injury form in 2026. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski assured fans and analysts that Wheeler would "come back ... and be the Zack Wheeler of old," despite the surgery’s potential impact on his performance. However, the Phillies’ optimism was met with skepticism, as Wheeler’s return to the mound has exceeded even the most cautious expectations. Wheeler’s comeback has been nothing short of remarkable. After missing just under a month of the 2026 season due to the surgery, the 36-year-old right-hander has seamlessly reintegrated into the Phillies’ rotation. His early-season outings have silenced concerns about the surgery’s long-term effects or the underwhelming results from his April rehab starts. Through 10 starts, Wheeler has posted a 6-1 record with a 2.01 ERA, a figure that surpasses his previous best ERA in any 10-start span of his 12-year career. This performance is more than a half-run better than his second-best start sequence, which occurred in 2021 and 2024, when he posted a 2.52 ERA. What makes Wheeler’s resurgence even more impressive is his self-awareness. Despite his stellar numbers, the pitcher acknowledges that he has not yet reached his peak. In a recent interview, Wheeler admitted to experiencing "a few inconsistent starts in a row" and noted that his "command-wise" sharpness has not yet returned to his usual level. He pointed to his walk rate as a key area for improvement, citing three walks in two of his three starts this month.#mlb #philadelphia_phillies #dave_dombrowski #zack_wheeler #paul_casella
Zack Wheeler makes second rehab start with Lehigh Valley Zack Wheeler faced challenges in his second rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday night, though his performance showed promise despite a costly error. The three-time All-Star was one out away from completing three scoreless innings against the Durham Bulls when a defensive miscue disrupted the momentum. With two runners on and two outs, Raynel Delgado hit a fly ball to left-center field that seemed destined to end the threat. However, the ball landed between left fielder Óscar Mercado and center fielder Pedro León, allowing both runners to score. Wheeler then struck out the next batter before falling behind 3-0 against Jacob Melton. Melton crushed a three-run homer to right field on a 3-0 pitch, extending the Phillies’ lead. Wheeler retired the final batter of the inning but was forced to exit after a 27-pitch frame. His outing resulted in five runs allowed, four hits, two walks, and just one strikeout over three innings. Phillies manager Rob Thomson praised Wheeler’s performance, noting he was “pretty sharp” for the first two innings. Thomson highlighted that Wheeler threw 22 pitches in the first two frames before losing command in the third, leading to several arm-side misses. Despite the struggles, the manager remained optimistic about Wheeler’s progress. “It’s still [like] Spring Training for him,” Thomson said, emphasizing that the dip in velocity was expected. Wheeler’s four-seam fastball averaged 92.7 mph, with a top speed of 93.9 mph, slightly below his first rehab start a week earlier, which saw a peak of 94.3 mph. Thomson downplayed concerns about the velocity drop, stating that additional innings and pitches would likely improve his effectiveness.#rob_thomson #zack_wheeler #lehigh_valley #raynel_delgado #oscar_mercado
