Jul 10, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) throws to the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
Cam Schlittler is putting personal accolades aside for the sake of the team, as the New York Yankees’ ace has decided to forego his first career All-Star Game appearance so as not to potentially stretch a thin rotation further.
The Yankees’ rotation has been plundered by the injury bug all season. Carlos Rodon landed on the injured list yet again earlier this month due to elbow inflammation, while Max Fried is nearing a return from an elbow injury. Gerrit Cole, who missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, is reacclimating to life back in the bigs.
“The staff’s had a lot of injuries this year, so between Gerrit and Max and now Carlos, I don’t want to put that risk in there of letting the team down,” Schlittler said. “If I were to not recover the right way and I’m dragging a little bit, then that wouldn’t have benefited anyone.”
Schlittler has been remarkable in his first full season in the majors, going 9-5 with an American League-best 2.05 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP. He has struck out 137 batters compared to just 25 walks in 118.2 innings pitched.
He was very much in the running to be the American League’s starting pitcher for Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Instead, Blue Jays manager John Schneider named his ace, Dylan Cease, as the AL starter.
Both Schlittler and manager Aaron Boone were adamant that there are no current injury concerns that have fueled this decision.
“One of the things I asked him was, ‘Have you given this a lot of thought, consideration?’ And he has,” Boone said. “I feel good about that. He feels good. He feels norma… I just wanted him to be thoughtful in how he came to that decision, and certainly we support it wholeheartedly.”
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