Philly.com reports that Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino, who made the 2011 NL All-Star team via the final vote, is heading to the DL with a thumb sprain.

This suggests that NL manager Bruce Bochy will have another spot available, and he’ll have the chance to correct the mistake he and others made and put Andrew McCutchen on the All-Star team.

McCutchen is currently third among all major-league position players in Wins Above Replacement, behind Jose Bautista and Jose Reyes. He’s emerging as one of baseball’s top young stars, and with his combination of on-base ability, power and defense, he’s quickly becoming one of baseball’s most valuable players as well.

To not include him on the All-Star team is a travesty, and it’s especially strange in that many members of the national media seem to consider the Pirates the feel-good story of the year. If that’s really the case, why would their best player not be included in the balloting, especially when he’s so clearly deserving on his own merits? Here’s hoping Bochy seizes this opportunity to finally get this right.