Dodgers’ Justin Wrobleski Snubbed for MLB All-Star Game

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 9, 2026

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Justin Wrobleski, who boasts a 10-2 record and a 2.69 ERA, was surprisingly left off the 2026 MLB All-Star Game roster despite strong first-half performances. With no current plans to pitch before the break, Wrobleski remains a potential replacement candidate as the Dodgers and manager Dave Roberts advocate for his inclusion.

Justin Wrobleski, a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been notably absent from Major League Baseball’s 2026 All-Star Game roster, despite a strong first half of the season. The third-year player has emerged as one of the Dodgers’ top starters, posting impressive numbers that have sparked debate over whether he deserved a spot in the Midsummer Classic.

As of Tuesday, Wrobleski holds a 10-2 record with a 2.69 earned run average (ERA) across 16 appearances, ranking eighth among National League qualified pitchers. His recent performances include a seven-inning, one-run outing against the Colorado Rockies, further cementing his status as one of the league’s most productive arms. Despite this, Wrobleski was not included in the initial All-Star selections nor among several replacement additions announced recently.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who is also managing the National League All-Star team at this year’s game scheduled for July 15 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, expressed surprise at Wrobleski’s omission. Roberts highlighted the pitcher’s rapid development and work ethic, calling his progression “really impressive” given Wrobleski was still in the minors just a year ago. He also compared Wrobleski’s preparation and focus to that of Clayton Kershaw and noted that the pitcher had earned admiration from Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez, who nicknamed him “The Shark.”

Wrobleski, 25, has described his exclusion as both “disappointing” and “frustrating” but emphasized that it fuels his motivation to improve. He acknowledged the possibility of being named to the All-Star roster as a replacement, a common occurrence as pitchers often opt out or become unavailable due to workload management. Unlike Zack Wheeler of the Philadelphia Phillies—another notable snub who is unlikely to participate given a scheduled Sunday start—Wrobleski is not expected to pitch again before the All-Star break, increasing his availability for the event.

Despite these factors, Wrobleski was not added as a replacement in the most recent roster update. He remains hopeful for clarity on his status and committed to maintaining his high level of play. In recent weeks, Wrobleski has shown improvements, including a noticeable uptick in fastball velocity to 96-97 mph and an enhanced strikeout rate, doubling his totals from earlier in the season. Over his last seven starts, dating back to late May, his ERA has dropped to 2.22.

Roberts acknowledged some limitations in Wrobleski’s All-Star case, such as ranking 25th in fielding-independent pitching (FIP) and having fewer innings pitched due to the Dodgers’ six-man rotation. However, he defended Wrobleski’s overall contributions, underscoring his 10 wins and consistently strong ERA.

As the All-Star Game approaches, the question remains whether Wrobleski will receive a late-season nod to join the National League squad. Meanwhile, the Dodgers continue to monitor the young pitcher’s unexpected breakout campaign closely.

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