Justin Wrobleski did enough this season to believe he belonged in the All-Star Game conversation. The Los Angeles Dodgers starter posted a 2.80 ERA across 15 appearances, 14 of them starts, and became one of only seven pitchers in MLB to reach 10 wins. Still, when the initial National League roster was announced, his name was not on it.
That omission did not sit well with Wrobleski, who said he felt he had done enough to at least put himself in the discussion. He also made it clear that the snub will be part of his motivation the rest of the way, saying it adds fuel to the fire for the rest of the year.
Why Wrobleski was left out for now
The short answer is that the NL pitching field was crowded. An unusually strong National League season on the mound helped push Wrobleski off the initial roster, even after a strong run as a starter for the Dodgers. Los Angeles still landed five All-Star selections, but Wrobleski was not among them at the time of the announcement.
Dave Roberts was quick to praise what Wrobleski has done, saying the 10-game winner has helped raise both the floor and the ceiling for the Dodgers. Roberts also called him impressive, prepared and a really good competitor.
The numbers support that view. Wrobleski has taken on a larger role in the rotation this season, and the production has followed. For a pitcher who has turned more opportunities into meaningful results, the All-Star debate is less about whether he has been good enough and more about how deep the league's pitching pool has been.
Can Justin Wrobleski still make it?
Yes. Wrobleski remained eligible to be added as a substitute if pitchers opt out because of rest or injury. That means the door is not closed yet, even if he was left off the first roster.
For now, though, the focus is on the same thing that got him into the conversation in the first place: continuing to pitch well. Wrobleski said his approach is simple from here, to go out every outing and prove that he is worthy of that kind of recognition and that he can be one of those guys moving forward.
His final start before the All-Star break, which is previewed in Justin Wrobleski’s final start before the All-Star break gives Rockies Vs. Dodgers a sharper edge, gives him another chance to keep building on a breakout season that has already changed his standing with the Dodgers.
