Despite the withdrawal of 15 players from the All-Star rosters in recent days, union chief Michael Weiner says that this year's mass exodus is more about "circumstance" than an indication that players don't care about the annual event. "I think what you're seeing this year is just a bunch of individual circumstances that have added up," Weiner said. "I think players understand the importance of the All-Star Game to the fans. They understand the honor it is to participate in the All-Star Game. By and large, I think players are excited to participate in the game. I just think we happened to have a series of circumstances this year, including a lot of Sunday starters, that have led to this situation." Of the 15 players who withdrew, five are starting pitchers who started Sunday and therefore were ineligible, according to the rules. The remainder of the withdrawals came as a result of injuries, but only four of those players are actually on the disabled list.