Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler says he feels “disrespected” after being left off the National League roster for the upcoming MLB All-Star Game and then rejecting an invitation to join as a replacement. Multiple reports describe Wheeler’s reaction following a 4-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds in which he records a career-high tying 14 strikeouts. He criticizes MLB’s decision and calls it “B.S.”, saying the exclusion is incorrect.
Reports also indicate Wheeler had the option to replace another player on the All-Star roster but chose not to accept the invitation. One outlet attributes his reasoning to not wanting to be “the fifth option,” while another points to the broader circumstances around roster eligibility. CBS Sports adds that Wheeler is scheduled to start on Sunday, which would make him ineligible to pitch in the Tuesday event, a factor in the replacement decision.
In the wake of the controversy, MLB’s replacement selections reportedly include Phillies left-hander Jesús Luzardo and other National League pitchers, according to Yahoo Sports.
