Though National League manager Clint Hurdle has to yet to name an All-Star pitcher, he has ruled out the Reds' Edinson Volquez, according to MLB.com.

Reds' manager Dusty Baker confirmed his phone call with the Rockies' skipper earlier this weekend.

"[Hurdle] said he would try to get him an inning in the middle," Baker said Sunday morning. "He wanted to start him but he has some wonderful options."

There is no doubt there are other candidates that are worthy of consideration, but once again the All-Star Game proves it is more about politics and popluarity than it is about recognizing the top performances.

The 25-year old right-hander leads the NL with a 2.29 ERA, second in wins (12), and is tied for second in MLB in strikeouts (116). Let's not forget the fact that Volquez allowed 1 earned run or less in each of his first eight starts, two earned or less in 15 of his 19 starts, and only allowed more than three earned runs in one start this season.  That's epic. I know I am bias, but the Reds should of have had their first All-Star starter since Jack Armstrong in 1990.

Arizona's Brandon Webb (13-4, 3.27, 106 K's)  struggled of late and pitched on Sunday so he is out as is the Giants' Tim Lincecum (10-2, 2.66, 116 K's), who also took the hill on the final day before the break with an impressive performance over the Cubs.

It now looks like the two most likely candidates to get the nod for the NL team on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium are the Cubs' Carlos Zambrano (10-3, 2.84, 78 K's) and the Brewers' Ben Sheets (10-3, 2.85, and 108 K's).

Hurdle better enjoy this shot as the NL manager as I don't he will ever get a second shot to do, I am little more confident that Volquez will. 

An official decision is expected to come sometime on Monday.