Schlittler All-Star Decision
Yankees' Cam Schlittler Skips All-Star Game to Preserve Arm, Dylan Cease Expected to Start
Key Points
Schlittler finished the first half with a 0.94 WHIP and a 137:25 K:BB across 118.2 innings, highlighting his control and strikeout efficiency beyond the ERA.
Dylan Cease would likely open the AL All-Star Game if Schlittler can't start, and he has a 2.56 ERA with 148 strikeouts in 98.1 innings; Cease even said he would 'probably say yes' to starting.
Schlittler is described as having an intense, old-school demeanor and fierce competitiveness, with manager Aaron Boone saying, 'It’s what we expect from him' as he contends for the AL starting nod.
Schlittler relies heavily on fastballs—four-seamer, cutter, and sinker—using those variants about 91.5% of the time, reflecting a heavily fastball-centric approach to hitters.
New York Yankees ace Cam Schlittler will not pitch in Tuesday's MLB All-Star Game, opting out to avoid extra exertion between starts, according to Pinstripe Alley. The move opens the door for San Diego Padres right-hander Dylan Cease to start for the American League.
The decision carries weight because Schlittler has been one of baseball's best pitchers in 2025. He owns a 2.05 ERA, a 0.94 WHIP, and 137 strikeouts across 118.2 innings in the first half — numbers that made him a top AL Cy Young contender heading into the break.
Boone Pulls Schlittler After 6.2-Inning Outing
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Schlittler was apprehensive about throwing in an All-Star Game setting so soon after a demanding start, according to Star-Telegram. Schlittler had just gone 6 2/3 innings against Washington, striking out six and helping New York to a 4-2 win. The outing was his last before the All-Star break.
Boone had initially left open the possibility of a between-starts bullpen role for Schlittler at the All-Star Game. But that plan was scrapped. Boone praised Schlittler's competitive drive, saying of his intense demeanor on the mound, 'It's what we expect from him,' per Tri-City Herald.
Cease Steps In as AL's Likely Starter
With Schlittler out, Dylan Cease is the AL's top candidate to start the All-Star Game on Tuesday. Cease enters the break with a 2.56 ERA and 148 strikeouts in just 98.1 innings — a pace that has made him one of the NL's most feared arms before his trade to an AL club. Cease said he would 'probably say yes' to starting if asked, according to Yahoo Sports.
Cease's strikeout total of 148 actually tops Schlittler's 137 through the first half, though he has done it in fewer innings. His availability and eagerness make the handoff straightforward. The AL should have no shortage of firepower on the mound Tuesday night.
Schlittler's First Half: A Fastball-Driven Cy Young Case
Schlittler's numbers stand out in several ways beyond ERA. His 137:25 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 118.2 innings shows elite command. He also holds a 3.5 fWAR, second-highest among AL starters, per Pinstripe Alley. That combination of control and strikeouts has fueled heavy Cy Young buzz heading into the second half.
His pitch mix is unusually simple. Schlittler throws fastball variants — a four-seamer, cutter, and sinker — about 91.5% of the time. He essentially dares hitters to sit on a fastball and still beat him. So far in 2025, almost none of them can, per Bradenton.com.
Yankees Head Into Break Confident in Their Ace
New York goes into the All-Star break with its rotation in strong shape. Skipping the All-Star Game keeps Schlittler fresh for a second half where the Yankees expect to contend. Boone has consistently praised Schlittler's fierce, old-school mentality, and the front office views protecting him now as an investment in October, according to Star-Telegram.
Schlittler's opt-out changes nothing about his standing in the league. He remains the Yankees' clear ace and one of the AL's most dominant arms. The All-Star Game will go on without him — but the second half is where his performance will really matter.
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