Padres LHP Adrian Morejon to replace Phillies' Zack Wheeler at All-Star Game

San Diego Padres left-hander Adrian Morejon was named to the National League All-Star team on Friday, replacing Phillies right-handed pitcher and Cy Young candidate Zack Wheeler.

Morejon, 26, will be participating in his first All-Star Game in his seventh season in the league. He is 7-3 with a 1.71 ERA with 0.83 WHIP in 45 relief appearances this season. He's allowed just nine walks across 42 innings and thrown 39 strikeouts.

Morejon is the fifth Padres player to be named to this year's All-Star team, marking the second straight year the Padres have sent five players to the midsummer classic. Joining Morejon from the Padres are Manny Machado, who will start at third base for the NL, Fernando Tatis Jr. coming off the bench, and closer Robert Suarez and setup man Jason Adam in the bullpen.

The All-Star Game will be held Tuesday in Atlanta, Wheeler's hometown.

Much discussion had been made in recent weeks as to whether Wheeler or Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes would earn the starting spot on game day. However, Wheeler reportedly withdrew to focus on the second half of the season rather than take part in his third All-Star Game.

Wheeler, 35, is 9-3 with a 2.17 ERA in 18 starts. He leads the National League with 148 strikeouts, and his ERA is only second-best behind Skenes (1.94 ERA) among pitchers who have thrown more than 100 innings.

--Field Level Media