The Phillies are sending plenty of firepower to the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, with Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Marsh, Bryce Harper, Cristopher Sanchez, Jhoan Duran and Jesus Luzardo all earning spots on the roster. But the omission that keeps standing out is Zack Wheeler’s.
Wheeler has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season, and he backed that up again with 14 strikeouts over seven innings against the Cincinnati Reds. Even so, he was left off the All-Star team, and that decision looks even rougher after MLB’s latest announcement.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported that Justin Verlander was added as a “Legends Pick” for the All-Star Game. Feinsand wrote, “MLB announces that Justin Verlander has been named to the AL All-Star roster as a 'Legend Pick,'” and added, “The 43-year-old, who has been on the Injured List since early April, will not be active at the All-Star Game, but will attend and be honored during the festivities in Philadelphia.”
Verlander’s 2026 season does not stack up with an All-Star case on performance alone. He made one start, threw 3.2 innings, allowed five runs and finished with a 12.27 ERA before landing on the injured list, where he has remained since that early-season outing.
The important distinction is that the “Legends Pick” does not take a roster spot away from another player. It is a bonus selection meant to recognize an MLB legend, not a replacement for a standard All-Star choice.
Still, from Wheeler’s point of view, the comparison is hard to ignore. Since returning from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, he has gone 9-1 with a 2.28 ERA, 98 strikeouts and a 0.91 WHIP in 87 innings over 14 starts. That kind of production usually earns a trip to the All-Star Game.
Wheeler also won’t be available because he is scheduled to pitch on Sunday, July 12, and anyone who pitches that day before the July 14 All-Star Game is ineligible to appear in the game itself. So he is being denied the honor for a technical reason, even though the numbers say he belongs.
With Verlander now getting recognized in Philadelphia, even in a non-active role, Wheeler’s snub looks even harsher.
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