Phillies' Zack Wheeler Drops Out of 2025 MLB All-Star Game to Focus on Rest of Season

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler will not participate in Tuesday's All-Star Game in order to rest and get ready for the latter half of the regular season, per the team (h/t Matt Gelb of The Athletic).

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Adrián Morejón will replace Wheeler on the National League All-Star team.

The 35-year-old Wheeler is a three-time All-Star who finished second in the National League Cy Young race last year. He's enjoying an even better season this year with a 9-3 record, 2.17 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 148 strikeouts. The WHIP and strikeout marks lead the National League. He's also the ace of a Phillies team that currently leads the NL East by a game-and-a-half over the New York Mets.

Wheeler also just threw a gem in his last start on Tuesday, tossing a one-hitter while striking out 12 in a 3-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds. He'll be closing the first half of the year with a start Saturday at the Padres.

Although Wheeler won't be making an appearance in the game, the NL side is getting a strong pitcher in Morejón, who is having a sensational 2025. The 26-year-old southpaw is 7-3 with a 1.71 ERA (0.83 WHIP) in 45 appearances his seventh MLB season. Morejón hasn't allowed any earned runs (or inherited runs) in his last 23 games.

This year's All-Star Game will take place on Tuesday in Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves, at 8 p.m. ET.