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Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler missed the first few weeks of the season due to thoracic outlet syndrome, but the way he looked on the mound, no one could have ever guessed that.
The 36-year-old is pitching like an All-Star, but he hasn’t been named yet, and Wheeler thinks a “BS rule” is the result.
In 14 starts, Wheeler pitched to a 2.28 ERA (22 earned runs/87.0 innings pitched) and a 0.908 WHIP. Both would be career highs. Wheeler is only five innings away from qualifying for the ERA title (one inning per team game played, so essentially 162 innings), but among pitchers with at least 80 innings under their belt, his ERA is the sixth lowest.
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Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the second inning at Great American Ball Park. (Aaron Doster/Imagn Images)
However, it’s not the injury that’s keeping the Philadelphia Phillies pitcher from playing in the Midsummer Classic at his ballpark, but rather his pitching schedule, he said.
“It pisses me off. It’s a little BS, so. Maybe if I wasn’t necessarily in it, I wouldn’t say this, but I feel like I’ve earned it, and just because I’m pitching on a certain day, I can’t make the All-Star Game or even be in it or get the recognition for it…” Wheeler told reporters Tuesday.
“I think it’s just a BS rule, just because I pitch on a certain day, I get punished for it, I guess.”
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler throws to the Texas Rangers during 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 SOME MLB ALL-STARS HOURS 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 Game.
“The second and third days (of rest) are when I usually pitch my bullpen,” Wheeler said, noting that he could have pitched an inning in the All-Star Game, as most pitchers do anyway.
The pitching schedules have determined who is available for the Midsummer Classic, but it is unclear if they have strictly determined the All-Star selections.
According to a person familiar with the selection process, the majority of All-Star pitcher selections are made in a joint process between MLB and the MLB Players Association, with players and coaches selecting five starting pitchers in each league before MLB fills several of the remaining spots. Jacob Misiorowski, Cristopher Sánchez, Chris Sale, Chase Burns and Paul Skenes were selected through this 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/Imagn 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 would be determined by game availability.
