Zack Wheeler declines All-Star Game invite: 'Not gonna be disrespected'

· Yahoo Sports

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler was approached by Major League Baseball to be added to the National League All-Star Game roster as a replacement player.

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He declined it.

Wheeler, who is scheduled to start on Sunday against the Detroit Tigers and Tarik Skubal, told reporters in Detroit on Saturday, July 11, that he did not want to be the "fifth choice" and felt "disrespected" by being left off the roster initially.

Wheeler, who underwent thoracic outlet surgery last season and missed the start of this season, has returned to his status as one of baseball's top starting pitchers since he was activated on April 25. He is 9-1 on the season with a 2.28 ERA and 98 strikeouts across 14 starts and 87.0 innings pitched.

The 36-year-old Wheeler had one of his best starts of the season on Tuesday, July 7 against the Cincinnati Reds, as he tied his career high with 14 strikeouts in a 4-1 Phillies win. He did not mince his words after the start, confirming that being left off the initial National League roster — where pitchers are voted and selected by their peers — added extra fuel to his start.

"I felt like that was kind of a reminder for whoever needs to be reminded," Wheeler said.

He added: "I think it's kind of a B.S. rule that just because I pitch on a certain day, I get punished for it."

The MLB All-Star Game is set for 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 14 at Wheeler's home ballpark of Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Zack Wheeler declines All-Star Game invite: 'Not gonna be disrespected'

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