WASHINGTON — Mike Pelfrey may wind up having a breakout season, but it doesn’t look like it will be an All-Star season.
The Mets right-hander found out yesterday he wasn’t picked to join teammates David Wright and Jose Reyes in Anaheim next Tuesday for the Midsummer Classic, despite being third in the National League with 10 wins.
“I’m not angry at all,” Pelfrey said shortly after learning of the snub. “It [stinks] I didn’t make it, but, leading up to it, I kind of thought it would be a tough decision. There are a lot of guys having good years. It gives me a chance to go home.”
It was possible Pelfrey would have been unable to pitch for the NL, since he will likely take the mound for the Mets next weekend — although manager Jerry Manuel hinted he might reconfigure the rotation and have Pelfrey pitch earlier.
But Pelfrey had been looking forward to the experience regardless.
“The biggest thing is that I would have liked to have gone and watched the home-run derby with my kid,” said Pelfrey, who is 10-2 with a 2.93 ERA.
Instead, the All-Star Game will include a pair of middle relievers, Cincinnati’s Arthur Rhodes and Pittsburgh’s lone representative, Evan Meek.
“It’s great that he was considered,” said Manuel, who added that he wouldn’t rule out the possibility of Pelfrey being named later in the week. “Coming out of spring training, we wouldn’t have even had this conversation. It’s a testament to how well he has pitched. He definitely deserves to be talked about.”
Wright overcame a slow start and got voted onto his fifth All-Star team. Reyes was named a reserve after finishing behind Colorado’s Troy Tulowitzki in the player voting. Tulowitzki will miss the game because he is on the disabled list.
“With all the things I’ve been through the last year and a half, it’s huge for me, a big step,” said Reyes, who has battled hamstring and thyroid issues. “I’m gonna enjoy it.”
The shortstop is unsure whether he’ll play in the game, since he remains out with a sore right side.
“It’s still a week away, so let’s see what happens,” Reyes said. “I’m gonna play before then, I think.”
