Full Breakdown
Top Pitchers Skip MLB All-Star Game Amid Injuries and Voluntary Opt-Outs
7/14/2026, 9:09:51 PM
Core Event
The 2024 MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia will proceed without several marquee pitchers. Yankees ace Cam Schlittler, the American League Cy Young frontrunner, withdrew after a 99-pitch outing. Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski, the National League Cy Young favorite, also sat out, citing a tired arm. Phillies left-hander Zack Wheeler declined an injury-replacement invitation, and Reds starter Chase Burns, Red Sox pitcher Ranger Suárez, and Tigers Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal are likewise absent. The league’s “Sunday starter” rule already bars pitchers who worked the Sunday before the game, a category that includes Misiorowski and Pirates ace Paul Skenes.
Background & Context
All-Star participation has become increasingly fraught. Players now weigh the exhibition’s injury risk against the second-half pennant race, a tension reflected in other leagues—most notably the NFL’s shift to a flag-football format. The 2024 showcase already lacks sluggers Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, heightening concerns about star power for broadcasters Fox, which seeks to recover from a 3 % audience dip last season.
Key Figures & Groups
- Cam Schlittler (New York Yankees) – 9-5, AL-best 2.05 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 137 K vs. 25 BB in 118.2 IP.
- Jacob Misiorowski (Milwaukee Brewers) – NL Cy Young odds leader, limited to five appearances last season.
- Zack Wheeler (Philadelphia Phillies) – Left-hander who felt “disrespected” by MLB’s handling of replacements.
- Dylan Cease (Toronto Blue Jays) – Named AL starter by manager John Schneider.
- Cristopher Sánchez (Philadelphia Phillies) – Selected by NL manager Dave Roberts to start in front of his home crowd.
Data & Statistics
- Schlittler’s 2024 line: 9-5, 2.05 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 137 K, 25 BB, 118.2 IP.
- Misiorowski leads NL Cy Young odds after a five-appearance rookie season.
- Ohtani is undergoing a knee-drainage procedure, removing his pitching contribution.
Official Statements & Responses
Yankees manager Aaron Boone emphasized the team’s injury-laden rotation—Gerrit Cole, Max Fried and Carlos Rodón—all recovering from major ailments. He expressed support for Schlittler’s “thoughtful” decision. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts named Phillies right-hander Cristopher Sánchez to start the NL squad, while Blue Jays manager John Schneider selected Dylan Cease as the AL starter. Fox highlighted the loss of star pitchers as a challenge to viewership recovery.
Criticism & Opposition
Phillies left-hander Zack Wheeler publicly rebuked MLB, stating, “They disrespected me,” and refused to serve as an injury replacement. His comments underscore player frustration with the league’s replacement process.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources agree Schlittler’s withdrawal stems from a desire to protect the Yankees’ thin rotation, yet some emphasize personal health concerns while others stress team-wide injuries. No definitive medical diagnosis has been disclosed for Misiorowski or Wheeler.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Just feels like, on his recovery day, to go back out there throwing 100 miles an hour is something that he felt a little apprehensive about,” — Aaron Boone, Yankees manager
- “It [stinks] to miss a start and the All-Star Game, but I know it’s the right thing to do in this situation,” — Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers pitcher
- “They disrespected me,” — Zack Wheeler, Phillies pitcher
- “The staff’s had a lot of injuries this year, so between Gerrit and Max and now Carlos, I don’t want to put that risk in there of letting the team down,” — Cam Schlittler, Yankees pitcher
- “Congrats to Dylan. He’s been great this year, so he deserves that,” — Cam Schlittler, Yankees pitcher
What’s Next
The All-Star Game proceeds on Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park. Dylan Cease will start for the American League, and Cristopher Sánchez will start for the National League. Both will pitch in front of a Philadelphia crowd while the league monitors the impact of the pitcher absences on viewership and future exhibition policies.
