The Philadelphia Phillies were already sending fewer players to this year’s MLB All-Star Game than they did in 2024. Now they’ll be sending even less.
On Friday, Zack Wheeler, the ace of the Phillies’ staff and one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball this season, officially opted out of Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic in Atlanta. Per the team, Wheeler decided “to rest and get ready for the second half of the season.” San Diego Padres left-hander Adrián Morejón will take his place on the National League roster.
And while Wheeler’s absence makes sense in the context of workload management, it also adds to a growing list of MLB stars bailing out of the league’s signature summer showcase—and that’s quickly becoming a problem MLB can’t ignore.
Wheeler’s Decision Comes at a Peak
If there was ever a time Zack Wheeler deserved an All-Star spotlight, this was it. The 35-year-old right-hander leads the National League with a 0.85 WHIP and 148 strikeouts, while posting a 2.17 ERA and a 9-3 record for a Phillies team that leads the NL East.
He just threw a one-hit, 12-strikeout gem against Cincinnati earlier this week. He’s amidst one of the best stretches of his career. And yet, he’s staying home.
Why? Because it’s not worth the risk.
Wheeler is scheduled to pitch again Saturday for the Phillies, meaning he wasn’t likely to appear in the All-Star Game anyway. But skipping the event entirely—rather than making the trip a ceremonial selection—sends a message that even the league’s most prominent names choose recovery over recognition.
Another One Drops Out
Wheeler isn’t alone. He joins a growing list of stars opting out of the All-Star Game this year: Julio Rodríguez, José Ramírez, Alex Bregman, Jeremy Peña, and even Jacob deGrom are among those sitting out.
The reasons vary—some cite injuries, others mention mental and physical fatigue. But the result is the same: a watered-down version of what used to be the crown jewel of the MLB calendar.
This is no longer the game in which every star wants to shine. It’s becoming the game in which stars quietly decline and replacements step in.
Is It Still the All-Star Game?
That’s the uncomfortable question MLB now faces: Is the All-Star Game still “The All-Star Game”?
When players like Wheeler and Rodríguez—young and veteran stars alike—step away from the event not because they’re injured, but because they’d prefer rest, it calls into question the value of the game itself.
Yes, it’s still an honor to be selected. But being there? Participating? That’s becoming optional.
More concerning is that fans are starting to expect these withdrawals. What used to be breaking news is now routine. A few days ago, there was a genuine debate about whether Wheeler should start the game. Now, he won’t even attend.
A Reflection of a Bigger Shift
The All-Star Game has always celebrated baseball’s best, but the pressure of a 162-game season, combined with postseason ambitions and stacked rotations, is changing how players view it.
For pitchers, risking wear and tear for a one-inning appearance in a glorified exhibition doesn’t make sense. And unless MLB changes its approach—through incentives, format tweaks, or rest assurances—this trend won’t stop.
Wheeler’s absence isn’t just another All-Star opt-out. It’s a symptom of a larger issue.
When one of the best pitchers in baseball, at the peak of his powers, passes on a national showcase, the league has to ask itself: Is the Midsummer Classic still worth the name?
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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