DETROIT — Zack Wheeler was left off the National League All-Star roster. Then he was asked to go anyway. Wheeler said Friday that he was invited as a late addition to the All-Star Game but declined, saying he felt disrespected by the way the process played out. Wheeler entered the weekend 9-1 with a 2.28 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 87 innings, a first-half résumé that made the initial omission sting even more. “Because they disrespected me,” Wheeler said. “So I’m just not gonna participate in that thing.” Wheeler said he was asked Friday night before the Phillies opened their weekend series against the Tigers. By then, his decision had already been made. “I’m not gonna be the fifth option,” Wheeler said. Dodgers left-handed starter Justin Wrobleski was added to the roster. The frustration stems from Wheeler being left off the original NL team despite a first half that placed him among the league’s best starters. It was the latest step in a comeback that has turned into one of the more impressive individual stories of the Phillies’ season, and across the league. Wheeler underwent thoracic outlet surgery last year after a blood clot was discovered in his right shoulder. He lost weight, rebuilt strength and pushed through a long rehab to return as one of the sport’s most effective pitchers. Wheeler said he did not need that comeback story to factor into the All-Star decision. “I don’t need someone to say that,” Wheeler said. “‘Oh, he’s had major surgery. Look at him now.’ No, I don’t need that. That’s when I planned to come back, as who I was or even better.” And when the first invitation did not come, the late call did not sit well. “Maybe I didn’t earn it from the get-go, but maybe just second choice,” Wheeler said. “Once I feel like they kind of messed that up, I’m out.” Wheeler said he was not dismissing the All-Star Game itself. He called the event “fun” and “a privilege,” and said the recognition matters beyond the week itself. “There’s something to it, especially, like, after your career,” Wheeler said. “To have those All-Stars next to your name.” That is part of why the omission bothered him. “Guys do take a lot of pride to having the All-Star next to your name,” Wheeler said. “During your career and after your career. And people who build them stuff after your career might look at that, too. For somebody to kind of take that away from me, it doesn’t sit the best.” The Phillies clubhouse responded in its own way. Players had T-shirts made with Wheeler’s quote from Tuesday night in Cincinnati: “That’s a reminder for whoever needs to be reminded.” Wheeler said it after striking out 14 Reds in seven innings, two days after being left off the original NL roster. “[The t-shirts are] not really my thing,” Wheeler said. “I really just don’t say much, so when I do, I guess they think it’s funny and stuff, so they just made a funny T-shirt. It’s support of me, so I appreciate it.” He still wants the Phillies who will be part of All-Star week to enjoy it. Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber will participate in Monday night’s Home Run Derby, while first-time All-Star Jhoan Duran was selected to the National League roster. Wheeler mentioned them while making clear his frustration was not with the event itself. “I don’t want to sit here and sound like I’m hating the whole thing,” Wheeler said. “It’s fun. It’s a privilege.” This is not a pity party. He also expects the players who do go to enjoy the experience at Citizens Bank Park. “The fans are gonna make all those players that come to the All-Star Game really enjoy being there at the stadium and playing in front of those fans,” Wheeler said. But he will not be among them. Wheeler said there are ways the league could better handle pitchers affected by timing, scheduling and roster replacement rules. Cristopher Sánchez dealt with a similar situation last year, when his schedule prevented him from being included. “If somebody deserves it, then they deserve it,” Wheeler said. For Wheeler, the disappointment is not only about missing the game. It is about what he felt he earned after everything that came before it. “Means a lot, just because what I did go through,” Wheeler said. “It’s personal to me, and I really tried hard to get back to where I was. This is hard work, appreciation of everybody who kind of helped me get back to where I am now.” The late invitation arrived. Wheeler had already made up his mind. ...read more read less