San Diego Padres left-handed pitcher Adrian Morejon was announced as a replacement for Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler on Friday ahead of the National League All-Star Game. Morejon’s selection follows Wheeler’s unexpected withdrawal, making this the first All-Star appearance for Morejon in his seventh Major League season.
Morejon’s strong season performance earns him the honor
At 26 years old, Morejon has compiled a 7-3 win-loss record with an impressive 1.71 earned run average and a 0.83 WHIP in 45 relief outings this year. He has demonstrated excellent control, issuing just nine walks over 42 innings while accumulating 39 strikeouts. His consistency out of the bullpen contributed significantly to his All-Star nod.
Padres lead National League with five All-Stars selected
Morejon is the fifth player from the San Diego Padres to be named to this year’s All-Star squad, continuing the franchise’s recent trend of strong representation by sending five players for the second consecutive season. Alongside Morejon are Manny Machado—who will start at third base for the NL—Fernando Tatis Jr., who will come off the bench, and the bullpen duo of closer Robert Suarez and setup man Jason Adam.
Wheeler’s withdrawal focuses attention on next phase of his season
The All-Star Game is set for Tuesday in Atlanta, which is notably Zack Wheeler’s hometown. The past weeks saw speculation about whether Wheeler or Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes would claim the National League’s starting pitcher role. However, Wheeler chose to step away from the event to concentrate on the stretch run of the season instead of participating in his third All-Star Game.
Wheeler’s impressive statistics highlight his tough decision
Wheeler, 35, has earned a 9-3 record with a 2.17 ERA across 18 starts this year. He leads the National League in strikeouts with 148, while his ERA ranks second only to Skenes, who holds a 1.94 ERA among qualified pitchers with over 100 innings pitched.
Impact of player changes on the All-Star Game outlook
Morejon’s inclusion signals a significant opportunity for the Padres’ young pitcher to showcase his talents on a major stage, while Wheeler’s absence leaves the Phillies and National League without one of their top pitching stars. The substitutions reflect each player‘s priorities heading into the second half of the season as the championship race intensifies.
“I just want to continue helping my team win games in the second half and staying healthy,”
—Zack Wheeler, Phillies pitcher