​San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb hinted that he might not take the mound for the All-Star Game on Tuesday, signaling a cautious approach to a demanding season that has already included a World Baseball Classic stint with Team USA and a knee injury that sidelined him for much of May. With Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia hosting the Midsummer Classic, Webb explained that avoiding the mound could be a precaution to protect his health, though nothing is set in stone.
“I don’t know. I might be pitching,” Webb said, suggesting the decision could come down to a game-time read on the National League roster. “It’s like a last-guy-available thing.” Webb plans to be in Philadelphia to take part in all the All-Star festivities, but he stressed that it was a joint decision with the Giants to avoid pitching in the game itself. He noted that the choice wasn’t solely his, emphasizing that the team weighed the pros and cons before reaching the conclusion to skip the actual appearance on the mound.
This marks Webb’s third straight All-Star selection. He appeared for a single shutout inning last year and earned his first All-Star nod in 2024. “This wasn’t just a me decision, it was a team decision. But we all just thought it’d be the best option to not throw in the game,” Webb explained. He added that after pitching in the World Baseball Classic, he endured a month of injury recovery—the first real down period he’s faced in a long time. Webb indicated that the break could help him recharge, particularly since he hadn’t enjoyed a meaningful rest in the two years preceding his All-Star outing. “Try to get somewhat of a break and come back strong. But this could all be for nothing because I might pitch in the game,” he acknowledged.
Webb, who feels healthy as he reenters action, is on pace to start against the Seattle Mariners when the second half of the season resumes on Friday. The decision to forgo pitching in the All-Star Game comes as a mild surprise to some, including fans and analysts who had expected a full showcase for Webb after a productive first half. The roster dynamics around the designated hitter spot added to the intrigue in the run-up to the event.
Casey Schmitt, who was on the AL ballot as a designated hitter and could have been a replacement option, did not make the team. He was not chosen to fill in for Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers star who opted out of this year’s game. Schmitt, who has spent time at multiple positions this season—left field, every infield slot, and DH—shared his thoughts after the selection news. “I thought it could have been (me). At this point I was not worried about it. If it wasn’t meant to be, it wasn’t meant to be. But I feel like I put up a good showing of why I should be there,” he commented.
Schmitt has been a versatile contributor for the Giants, delivering across the diamond while maintaining strong offensive numbers, including a .280 batting average and an .805 OPS with 19 home runs in the first half. By contrast, Ivan Herrera of the St. Louis Cardinals received the nod as the designated hitter and catcher, hitting .249 with a .771 OPS and 11 home runs for the season through the midpoint. The contrasts between Schmitt’s versatility and Herrera’s steady production highlight the broader narratives at play in a season full of movement and opportunity for emerging stars.
As the Giants and Webb navigate the balance between honoring a prestigious personal achievement and protecting a key pitcher’s health, the broader All-Star storylines continue to unfold. Webb’s current status remains that of a potential participant, contingent on the team’s strategic approach to the All-Star break and the health considerations that accompany a demanding major league schedule. The choice to skip the All-Star Game itself seems to reflect a broader trend in which teams and players weigh short-term rest against the high-profile showcase of mid-season baseball, aiming to hit the ground running after the break with renewed vigor and readiness.