Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler is not happy with what he thinks is a disrespectful move by Major League Baseball.
Wheeler was offered a replacement slot on the National League All-Star team Thursday, but declined it, he said Friday. The Phillies ace said he felt disrespected by the fact that he was the fifth choice for the spot.
“Because they disrespected me, so I’m just not gonna participate in that thing,” Wheeler said, via Cole Weintraub of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Wheeler was left off the All-Star roster entirely despite having a 9-1 record and a 2.28 ERA, numbers that are easily worthy of a nod. Even if he had been selected, he would not have been able to pitch, as he is scheduled to start Sunday. The league prohibits pitchers who start on the final day before the All-Star break from actually pitching in the game in order to protect their health. Wheeler sounded off on that rule earlier in the week.
Both All-Star teams omitted some worthy players this year, and those snubbed have been very open about their frustration. Wheeler clearly felt like his invitation was a consolation prize and wanted nothing to do with it.
