Live updates ahead of 2026 MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia

Children with physical and cognitive challenges stepped up to the plate at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday night with former Phillies players as part of a partnership between Major League Baseball, Phillies Charities Inc. and the Miracle League.

The event kicked off MLB All-Star week in Philadelphia.

The Miracle League, a national nonprofit that creates opportunities for children with disabilities to play baseball, joined the Phillies for an evening designed to make young fans feel like pros. Among them were Everett and Remi, siblings born with cerebral palsy.

"This has been just a dream. These are the two biggest Phillies fans right here," said their mother, Samantha Govitz.

Children with disabilities play ball with Phillies legends to kick off MLB All-Star week

Kids had the chance to take swings against Phillies legend Dickie Noles, run the bases and slide into home plate. For families, the experience was as meaningful as it was memorable.

"It's just very special for the kids and the parents to see their kids get an opportunity to be out here on the field playing with legends," said Angelo Garofalo of Swarthmore.

Kristy Mohr of Doylestown said of her daughter Mackenzie, "She's had so much fun, and it's been an amazing opportunity. We're very grateful."

The kids also got to play ball alongside former Phillies player, coach and current team ambassador Milt Thompson.

"Just a tremendous feeling," Thompson said. "To see the smiles on their faces and the enjoyment they're having, it's just nice that we recognize that they wanna play ball too and we're putting these fields together for them to come out and be able to experience it."

And the MLB wants to make sure the All-Star Game leaves more than just memories behind in its host city. The MLB and Phillies Charities Inc. are investing more than $5.5 million back into the community - including $300,000 for the Miracle League of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

"Being a special needs parent can feel very solitary, can feel very lonely, and to have us recognized and thought of in the planning process, in the community to create accessible spaces is everything that I hope for for their futures," mom Samantha Govitz said.

Festivities continue Friday with the HBCU Swingman Classic, followed by the opening of the All-Star Village fan festival Saturday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

The All-Star Game is set for Tuesday at 8 p.m.

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler described his 14-strikeout outing in a victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night a "reminder for whoever needs to be reminded" that Major League Baseball erred in leaving him off of National League roster for next week's All-Star game.

"It pisses me off and it's kind of BS," Wheeler (9-1) said in postgame comments broadcast by NBC Sports Philadelphia.

The 36-year-old Wheeler's career high-tying strikeout performance in a 4-1 victory came mere hours after Major League Baseball announced that three other National League pitchers - Riley O'Brien of St. Louis, Philadelphia's Jesús Luzardo and Pittsburgh's Braxton Ashcraft - had been tapped as All-Star replacements.

The three late additions to the July 14 All-Star game - being held this season in Philadelphia - replaced Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes, Milwaukee's Jacob Misiorowski and Miami's Max Meyer, who are all scheduled to pitch for their teams this weekend.

Wheeler, too, is scheduled to pitch this weekend against Detroit, and was given the impression that is the reason he wasn't selected as a replacement.

"Just because I pitch on a certain day, I get - you know - I don't even know the right word," Wheeler said. "Because I pitch on a certain day, I can't pitch in the All-Star game or even be there or get the recognition."

Wheeler said that if a deserving pitcher wants to participate in the All-Star game, they should at least have the opportunity to be named to the roster, regardless of when they're scheduled to pitch for their own team.

"Maybe if I wasn't necessarily right in there I wouldn't be saying this, but I feel like I've earned it," Wheeler said. "There's certain ways to do it and you figure they would have a clue about it by now - how many All-Star games they've had."

Wheeler said he even would have been willing to pitch an inning in the All-Star game on two days' rest, when he'd normally be throwing anyway in a bullpen session.

"It's kind of a BS rule that just because I pitch on a certain day I get punished," Wheeler continued. "I'll be fine throwing an inning. But it's not even an option, I guess."

Kyle Schwarber, who helped power the Phillies' offense with his major league-best 31st home run of the season, said he understood Wheeler's frustration.

"When someone deserves it, you want them to get that acknowledgment," said Schwarber, a four-time All-Star who was selected to this season's National League roster as a designated hitter.

"We're only in this game for so long," Schwarber said. "You want to be able to look back and feel like you have some things that put some feathers in the cap."

Citizens Bank Park is rolling out fresh merchandise and on-field branding as the city prepares to host the 2026 All-Star Game, a milestone event organizers say has been seven years in the making.

The outfield now features the official All-Star Game 2026 logo, part of what Major League Baseball leaders describe as a celebration of the sport's biggest stars and Philadelphia's role in the festivities.

New food and exclusive items as Philly gears up for All-Star Game

"It's really a big part of what we're doing. We were excited to join Philadelphia's efforts and making the 250th a big deal, and the All-Star game here does exactly that," said Jeremiah Yolkut, senior vice president of global operations and events for MLB.

New gear, including collectible pins, is available exclusively at the team store inside Citizens Bank Park, adding to the fanfare surrounding the week's events.

Programming will stretch across the city, beginning Friday.

"We'll start here at the ballpark on Friday for the HBCU classic and we'll run all the way through Tuesday at the All-Star game, but a lot of great programming in between," said Aaron Kaplan of MLB.

Yolkut said the celebration extends well beyond the stadium.

"We'll be at the Convention Center for the draft on Saturday. We'll have the All-Star village there over the course of Saturday through Tuesday. We'll be at Independence Hall for the red carpet show, and we'll just be woven throughout the city," he said.

Inside the ballpark, fans will find an expanded food lineup, including Sanchez sliders, a revolutionary rib sandwich, ribs on the bone, a classic cheesesteak and a lamb hot dog topped with feta and pickles.

Whether fans arrive hungry or eager to pick up a commemorative cup, organizers say All-Star week will offer plenty to enjoy as Philadelphia welcomes baseball's biggest stage.

The 2026 MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park will feature some homegrown star power.

RELATED: MLB, Phillies release 2026 All-Star week schedule of events in Philadelphia

Major League Baseball announced on Tuesday that Philadelphia native and Godmother of Soul Patti LaBelle will perform the national anthem, while Jennifer Hudson will sing "America the Beautiful."

The All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park will feature some home-grown star power.

Downingtown native Miles Teller will also narrate a tribute to baseball's impact on American life before the game begins.

Legendary Philadelphia group Boyz II Men will perform during MLB's Stand Up To Cancer moment at the end of the 5th inning.

RELATED: 5 Philadelphia Phillies players named to 2026 All-Star roster

"This lineup captures the unique energy of the city while honoring how baseball has been a part of the American spirit for 250 years," said Uzma Rawn Dowler, MLB, Chief Marketing Officer & Senior Vice President of Global Corporate Partnerships.

The 96th Midsummer Classic takes place Tuesday, July 14, at Citizens Bank Park in South Philadelphia.