Wheeler, who entered his start Sunday against the Detroit Tigers with a 9-1 record, 98 strikeouts and a 2.28 ERA, was noticeably absent from the NL All-Star roster when it was announced July 6 and as replacements were named after players were injured.
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After complaining about his snub following his July 7 start, Wheeler was approached by MLB about being an All-Star replacement. Wheeler declined because he felt disrespected by the league.
Wheeler has been one of the best pitchers in the league despite missing the first month of the season. Given his performance this season and the game being in Philadelphia, it seemed like a no-brainer that Wheeler would make the NL All-Star team.
National League third baseman Alec Bohm of the Philadelphia Phillies (28) reacts during the 2024 Home Run Derby July 15, 2024 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. (Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports)National League third baseman Alec Bohm of the Philadelphia Phillies (28) bats during the semi finals of the 2024 All Star Game Home Run Derby on July 15, 2024, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. (Jerome Miron, Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols (5) greets Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12) in the first round during the 2022 Home Run Derby July 18, 2022 at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles. (Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports)Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12) congratulates St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols (right) after their first round during the 2022 Home Run Derby July 18, 2022 at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles. (Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports)Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12) reacts after batting in the first round during the 2022 Home Run Derby July 18, 2022 at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles. (Orlando Ramirez, Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports)Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12) hits in the first round during the 2022 Home Run Derby on July 18, 2022 at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles. (Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports)Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12) hits in the first round during the 2022 Home Run Derby July 18, 2022 at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angles. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Rhys Hoskins (17) during the 2018 MLB home run derby on July 16, 2018 at Nationals Ballpark in Washington, D.C. (Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports)Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Rhys Hoskins (17) bats in the first round during the 2018 MLB home run derby on July 16, 2018 at Nationals Ballpark. (Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports)Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar (24) and Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Rhys Hoskins (17) before the 2018 MLB home run derby July 16, 2018 at Nationals Ballpark in Washington D.C. (Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports)National League first baseman Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a home run during the 2009 All-Star Home Run Derby on July 13, 2009 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. (Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports)Philadelphia Phillies Chase Utley during the MLB Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx July 14, 2008. (Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News)National League pitcher Brad Lidge (right) of the Philadelphia Phillies talks with second baseman Chase Utley (center) during the 2008 All-Star Home Run Derby July 14, 2008 at Yankee Stadium in New York. (Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports)Philadelphia Phillies infielder Ryan Howard hits a ball during the Home Run Derby on July 9, 2007 at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California. (Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports)National League All-Star player Ryan Howard with the trophy after winning the Home Run Derby on July 10, 2006 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. (Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports)National League All-Star player Ryan Howard hits a home run during the Home Run Derby on July 10, 2006 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA. (Scott Rovak, USA TODAY Sports)National League All-Stars Bobby Abreu of the Philadelphia Phillies and American League All-Star Ivan Rodriguez #7 of the Detroit Tigers hug after Abreu won the 2005 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby on July 11, 2005 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Elsa, Getty Images)National League All-Star Bobby Abreu of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with the trophy after winning the 2005 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby at Comerica Park on July 11, 2005 in Detroit, Michigan. (Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)National League All-Star Bobby Abreu of the Philadelphia Phillies waves to the crowd during the final round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby on July 11, 2005 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Elsa, Getty Images)National League All-Star Bobby Abreu of the Philadelphia Phillies bats during the 2005 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby at Comerica Park on July 11, 2005 in Detroit, Michigan. (Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)National League All-Star Jim Thome of the Philadelphia Phillies watches the flight of the ball as he bats during the Major League Baseball 2004 Century 21 Home Run Derby at Minute Maid Park on July 12, 2004 in Houston, Texas. (Brian Bahr, Getty Images)Jim Thome of the Philadelphia Phillies and the 2004 National League All-Star Team swings during the Major League Baseball Century 21 Home Run Derby at Minute Maid Park on July 12, 2004 in Houston, Texas. (Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images)Jim Thome of the National Team swings at a pitch during the Major League Baseball Century 21 Home Run Derby at Minute Maid Park on July 12, 2004 in Houston, Texas. (Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images)1 / 23
Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Home Run Derby. See how they fared.
National League third baseman Alec Bohm of the Philadelphia Phillies (28) reacts during the 2024 Home Run Derby July 15, 2024 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. (Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports)
Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Home Run Derby. See how they fared.
National League third baseman Alec Bohm of the Philadelphia Phillies (28) bats during the semi finals of the 2024 All Star Game Home Run Derby on July 15, 2024, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. (Jerome Miron, Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)
Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Home Run Derby. See how they fared.
St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols (5) greets Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12) in the first round during the 2022 Home Run Derby July 18, 2022 at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles. (Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports)
Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Home Run Derby. See how they fared.
Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12) congratulates St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols (right) after their first round during the 2022 Home Run Derby July 18, 2022 at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles. (Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports)
Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Home Run Derby. See how they fared.
Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12) reacts after batting in the first round during the 2022 Home Run Derby July 18, 2022 at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles. (Orlando Ramirez, Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports)
Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Home Run Derby. See how they fared.
Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12) hits in the first round during the 2022 Home Run Derby on July 18, 2022 at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles. (Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports)
Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Home Run Derby. See how they fared.
Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12) hits in the first round during the 2022 Home Run Derby July 18, 2022 at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angles. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)
Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Home Run Derby. See how they fared.
Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Rhys Hoskins (17) during the 2018 MLB home run derby on July 16, 2018 at Nationals Ballpark in Washington, D.C. (Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports)
Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Home Run Derby. See how they fared.
Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Rhys Hoskins (17) bats in the first round during the 2018 MLB home run derby on July 16, 2018 at Nationals Ballpark. (Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports)
Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Home Run Derby. See how they fared.
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar (24) and Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Rhys Hoskins (17) before the 2018 MLB home run derby July 16, 2018 at Nationals Ballpark in Washington D.C. (Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports)
Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Home Run Derby. See how they fared.
National League first baseman Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a home run during the 2009 All-Star Home Run Derby on July 13, 2009 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. (Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports)
Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Home Run Derby. See how they fared.
Philadelphia Phillies Chase Utley during the MLB Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx July 14, 2008. (Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News)
Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Home Run Derby. See how they fared.
National League pitcher Brad Lidge (right) of the Philadelphia Phillies talks with second baseman Chase Utley (center) during the 2008 All-Star Home Run Derby July 14, 2008 at Yankee Stadium in New York. (Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports)
Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Home Run Derby. See how they fared.
Philadelphia Phillies infielder Ryan Howard hits a ball during the Home Run Derby on July 9, 2007 at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California. (Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports)
Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Home Run Derby. See how they fared.
National League All-Star player Ryan Howard with the trophy after winning the Home Run Derby on July 10, 2006 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. (Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports)
Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Home Run Derby. See how they fared.
National League All-Star player Ryan Howard hits a home run during the Home Run Derby on July 10, 2006 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA. (Scott Rovak, USA TODAY Sports)
Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Home Run Derby. See how they fared.
National League All-Stars Bobby Abreu of the Philadelphia Phillies and American League All-Star Ivan Rodriguez #7 of the Detroit Tigers hug after Abreu won the 2005 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby on July 11, 2005 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Elsa, Getty Images)
Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Home Run Derby. See how they fared.
National League All-Star Bobby Abreu of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with the trophy after winning the 2005 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby at Comerica Park on July 11, 2005 in Detroit, Michigan. (Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Home Run Derby. See how they fared.
National League All-Star Bobby Abreu of the Philadelphia Phillies waves to the crowd during the final round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby on July 11, 2005 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Elsa, Getty Images)
Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Home Run Derby. See how they fared.
National League All-Star Bobby Abreu of the Philadelphia Phillies bats during the 2005 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby at Comerica Park on July 11, 2005 in Detroit, Michigan. (Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Home Run Derby. See how they fared.
National League All-Star Jim Thome of the Philadelphia Phillies watches the flight of the ball as he bats during the Major League Baseball 2004 Century 21 Home Run Derby at Minute Maid Park on July 12, 2004 in Houston, Texas. (Brian Bahr, Getty Images)
Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Home Run Derby. See how they fared.
Jim Thome of the Philadelphia Phillies and the 2004 National League All-Star Team swings during the Major League Baseball Century 21 Home Run Derby at Minute Maid Park on July 12, 2004 in Houston, Texas. (Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images)
Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Home Run Derby. See how they fared.
Jim Thome of the National Team swings at a pitch during the Major League Baseball Century 21 Home Run Derby at Minute Maid Park on July 12, 2004 in Houston, Texas. (Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images)
What did Zack Wheeler say about his All-Star snub.
After being passed over for a selection, Wheeler struck out a career-high 14 batters while allowing one earned run in seven innings in a win over the Cincinnati Reds on July 7.
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Following his dominate performance against the Reds, Wheeler made it clear what he thought of not being picked by MLB to represent the NL.
"I feel like that was kind of a reminder, you know, for whoever needs to be reminded," Wheeler said to reporters in the Phils' locker room in Cincinnati. "So, you know, it's ... it pisses me off. It's kind of BS."
Wheeler's reaction stems from an MLB rule that the league will add pitchers only if they agree to pitch in the game. The way the Phillies rotation lines up, Wheeler would have been unable to pitch in the All-Star Game.
"You know, maybe if I wasn't necessarily right in there, I wouldn't be saying this, but I feel like I've earned it," Wheeler said. "... Just because I pitch on a certain day doesn't mean that I get, you know, I can't pitch in the All-Star Game or even be there or get, you know, the recognition for it, you know they could have done it a few different ways. ... I didn't necessarily have to get chosen right away but, you know, I feel like I was right there.
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"So maybe they put me in and automatically just shoot me right back out and put somebody else in. You know, there's certain ways to do it."
"I think it's kind of a BS rule that, you know, just because I pitch on a certain day, I, you know, get punished for it," he said.
How did the Phillies react to Wheeler's comments and snub?
Garrett Stubbs had some fun with Wheeler's comments from July 7 and had T-shirts made for the team with the "reminder" quote on them.
Where does Zack Wheeler ranks among NL starters?
Wheeler has ranked among the NL's best starters since making his first start of the season on April 25 after undergoing thoracic outlet decompression surgery in September.
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What's holding Wheeler back is his lack of innings, which currently disqualifies him from an ERA title.
To qualify, a player must pitch at least one inning for every scheduled game their team plays which would place Wheeler just five innings shy as the Phils are 51-41 before play on July 8.
While his 98 strikeouts aren't among the league leaders due to his lack of innings, Wheeler's K/9 rate of 10.14 would rank just outside MLB's top 10 and right behind fellow Phillies All-Star ace Cristopher Sanchez.
During his 12-year career with Philadelphia and New York Mets, Wheeler was named to the NL All-Star Game three times (2021, 2024 and 2025) – all as a member of the Phillies.
He's finished runner-up in the NL Cy Young award twice, including in 2024 to Sale and in 2021 to then-Milwaukee Brewers ace Corbin Burnes.