​PHILADELPHIA — Is there any real desire left among players to step into the MLB All-Star Game? With the sport already mourning the absence of megastars Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, the midseason showcase, set for Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park, is contending with a growing number of top pitchers who have opted out or been sidelined.
Here are some of the latest developments. Yankees pitcher Cam Schlitter, the current favorite to win the American League Cy Young, will not take part in the game after delivering a 99-pitch performance Saturday against the Nationals. Tuesday would typically be a side throwing day before his next start, allowing a short All-Star appearance, but Yankees manager Aaron Boone explained that Schlitter’s health simply won’t permit it. “On his recovery day, throwing 100 miles an hour again felt like too much of a risk,” Boone said.
Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski, who leads the NL Cy Young odds and was an All-Star last year after only five appearances, was scratched Sunday from what would have been his final Brewers start before the break. “It stinks to miss a start and the All-Star Game, but I know it’s the right thing to do in this situation,” Misiorowski noted. “My arm is a little tired.”
Phillies ace Zack Wheeler turned down a chance to serve as an NL injury replacement after being initially passed over for selection. “They disrespected me,” Wheeler said of MLB, adding, “So I’m just not going to participate in that thing.”
Reds right-hander Chase Burns will not participate in the All-Star Game after reporting tightness in his right groin. Red Sox southpaw Ranger Suarez was originally chosen for the AL roster but landed on the injured list Thursday with a strained left groin.
Ohtani’s pitching absence from the All-Star Game is tied to a knee issue that flared during his windup and delivery but spared him at the plate. A procedure to drain his left knee is expected to take place this week, further limiting his availability for festivities.
These developments underscore MLB’s enduring “Sunday starter” rule, which prevents starting pitchers who were on the bump the Sunday before the All-Star Game from finishing the game. Among those affected by the rule were Misiorowski, who faced a final decision to withdraw, along with Pirates left-hander Paul Skenes, the reigning NL Cy Young winner, among others.
The pattern follows a broader trend in which star players increasingly opt out of All-Star appearances to protect their health and long-term performance. It mirrors a broader shift across major sports leagues, where the allure of a midseason showcase is tempered by the risk of injury. The NFL, for instance, moved away from a traditional all-star format by pivoting to a flag football-centric event in recent years, reflecting a similar tension between competitive intensity, entertainment value, and player safety.
This evolving dynamic has left fans and executives to weigh the value of the All-Star experience against the real costs of extended or unnecessary strain on players who are integral to their teams’ success down the stretch. As strike dates and recovery timelines collide with the desire to showcase top talent, more players may choose to sit out or limit their participation in the annual midseason event.
In the end, the All-Star Game remains an exhibition designed to celebrate the sport and its best. Yet the increasing frequency of opt-outs and health concerns suggests a future in which participation is more carefully negotiated, with players and teams prioritizing long-term health over a single night’s thrill. For now, the 2026 edition of the All-Star Game will proceed with a notable portion of its marquee names sidelined, underscoring the ongoing debate about star athletes’ participation in showcase events across major sports.