Yankees ace Cam Schlittler won’t pitch in MLB All-Star Game: ‘A little apprehensive’

WASHINGTON — Cam Schlittler, who put himself in position to start the All-Star Game for the American League, has decided he won’t pitch in it at all.

The Yankees ace came in Sunday morning, after closing out his first half Saturday by throwing 6 ⅔ innings and finishing with a 2.05 ERA, and expressed some apprehension to manager Aaron Boone about pitching in the exhibition on Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park.

Schlittler is fine physically, Boone said, but the 25-year-old right-hander indicated Saturday night he was more focused on the second half with the Yankees than potentially pitching in the All-Star Game.

“Just feels like, on his recovery day, to go back out there throwing 100 miles an hour is something that he felt a little apprehensive about,” Boone said Sunday at Nationals Park. “Certainly support that decision and obviously he understands what’s at stake here in the second half for us and for him.”

Tuesday would have essentially been Schlittler’s between-starts bullpen day, but instead he will stick to his normal routine and likely pitch in next weekend’s showdown against the Dodgers.

Yankees starter Cam Schlittler pitching against the Nationals on July 11, 2026. Getty Images

When Schlittler informed Boone of his decision, the manager wanted to make sure his pitcher had given it enough consideration to turn down the honor. He will still attend the All-Star Game festivities.

“There’s nothing wrong with him,” Boone said. “He feels good. He feels normal today, post-outing.

“I just wanted him the be thoughtful in how he came to that decision and certainly, we support that wholeheartedly.”