Zack Wheeler - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Looks sharp in first rehab start Wheeler (shoulder) struck out three and scattered two hits and one walk over three scoreless frames in a rehab start Saturday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Impact Heading into the rehab start, the Phillies had planned for Wheeler to cover three innings or 50 pitches. The right-hander was even more economical than the Phillies had hoped, needing only 38 pitches to record nine outs in what was his first official game since Aug. 15, 2025. After undergoing thoracic outlet decompression surgery in September, Wheeler has had a fairly seamless recovery thus far and appears on track to return from the 15-day injured list around mid-April. He'll continue to build up his innings and pitch count in his next rehab start, which is set to come Friday versus Triple-A Durham.

12 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Rangers blow 3-run lead in 9th inning but recover to top Phillies 5-4 in the 10th

Jake Burger and Corey Seager each homered and the Texas Rangers recovered from blowing a three-run lead in the ninth inning to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-4 in 10 innings

2 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Phils ace Wheeler makes first rehab start, remains on track for April return Zack Wheeler was never expected to be fully ready to pitch in the Phillies' season-opening series this weekend at Citizens Bank Park. But if...

2 DAYS AGO • MLB.COM

The Timeline for Zack Wheeler After His First Rehab Start for Phillies What's next for Zack Wheeler after his first rehab start on Saturday? He might not need a ton more tuning up from there.

2 DAYS AGO • SI.COM

Three innings in first rehab start Wheeler (shoulder) is scheduled to throw three innings and/or 50 pitches in Saturday's rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Corey Seidman of PHLY Sports reports.

Impact It will be Wheeler's first official game action since last September's venous thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. The Phillies will likely want Wheeler to get his pitch count up to the 80-to-90 range before clearing him for his season debut, so the right-hander will likely make two additional rehab starts after Saturday before returning in mid-April if all goes well.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

15-day IL move made official The Phillies placed Wheeler (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Impact Wheeler is still working his way back from last September's venous thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. He is slated to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday. Wheeler will be eligible for activation April 6, and while he might not be ready by that date, he is on track to return sometime in April.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Phillies announce Zack Wheeler, Orion Kerkering roster moves for Opening Day | Sporting News These two pitchers had their Opening Day roster status determined.

5 DAYS AGO • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Cristopher Sánchez guaranteed $104 million from Phillies in 6-year contract for 2027-32

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sánchez is guaranteed $104 million in a six-year contract for 2027-32, a deal that contains $20 million in deferred money payable from 2035...

6 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Phillies' Zack Wheeler receives 'crazy' bold Cy Young prediction for 2026 season | Sporting News This would be one of the more stunning seasons in MLB history.

6 DAYS AGO • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Phillies get incredible Zack Wheeler update as return to MLB might be sooner than expected | Sporting News Zack Wheeler is making incredible progress in his return to the rotation.

MARCH 23 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Beginning rehab assignment Saturday Wheeler (shoulder) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Saturday at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Impact After checking out fine following a 29-pitch, two-inning simulated game Monday at Phillies camp, Wheeler has received the green light to pitch in an uncontrolled setting for the first time since undergoing venous thoracic outlet syndrome surgery Sept. 23. According to Zolecki, the right-hander is expected to work three innings for what will likely be the first of multiple rehab outings in the minors before he's deemed ready to make his 2026 debut with Philadelphia. Though Wheeler will open the season on the 15-day injured list, he looks like he could have a chance at returning to the Philadelphia rotation around the middle of April.

MARCH 23 • ROTOWIRE

'A successful spring': Wheeler optimistic despite Grapefruit League absence CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Zack Wheeler hasn’t had the best experiences pitching to Minor Leaguers as a big leaguer. They tend to swing at everythi...

MARCH 23 • MLB.COM

Still tracking toward April return Wheeler (shoulder) threw 29 pitches over two simulated innings on the back fields of Phillies camp Monday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact The 35-year-old righty is still slated to open the season on the 10-day injured list while he builds back up from venous thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, which he underwent Sept. 23. While facing off Monday against some of the Phillies' lower-level farmhands, Wheeler reportedly looked sharp and ramped up his velocity in the second inning. Wheeler is expected to continue increasing the volume and intensity of his sim games over the next week or two before potentially kicking off a rehab assignment shortly after the minor-league season gets underway. Though he's currently without a firm target date for making his 2026 Phillies debut, Wheeler appears likely to return from the IL at some point in April.

MARCH 23 • ROTOWIRE

Phillies Ace Christopher Sánchez Agrees to Reworked 6-Year Deal

The Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a new six-year contract with Opening Day starter Cristopher Sánchez

MARCH 22 • FOX SPORTS

Phillies Ace Christopher Sánchez Agrees to Reworked 6-Year Deal

Phillies add Andrew Painter to rotation, move that could impact Zack Wheeler's return Andrew Painter joins Philadelphia Phillies rotation, a move that could impact Zack Wheeler’s recovery timeline and shape the team’s pitching...

MARCH 21 • BOLAVIP.COM

Phillies rotation looks solid even without Zack Wheeler The Philadelphia Phillies will not be able to begin the upcoming 2026 MLB season with Zack Wheeler, but the announced group of starters stil...

MARCH 20 • BOLAVIP.COM

Rookie right-hander Andrew Painter makes Phillies' opening day roster as No. 5 starter

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson has announced that rookie right-hander Andrew Painter has made the team’s opening day roster as the No. 5 starter

MARCH 20 • Associated Press

Phillies get great sign with Zack Wheeler amid first live game action | Sporting News This is a great sign for Zack Wheeler amid his recovery.

MARCH 19 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Phillies announce when Zack Wheeler will return to mound Zack Wheeler's return to the Philadelphia Phillies is just a matter of time. MORE: Phillies to sign 28-year-old star to $135 million extensi...

MARCH 19 • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Will pitch in minors game Monday Wheeler (shoulder) will pitch in a minor-league game Monday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Impact Wheeler will be limited to 40 pitches, but it will mark his first game action of the spring. The veteran right-hander is set to open the regular season on the injured list, but a return at some point in April appears to still be on the table. Wheeler has been throwing bullpens and live batting practice sessions for the past few weeks. Top pitching prospect Andrew Painter figures to open the season in the Phillies' rotation while Wheeler works his way into game shape.

MARCH 19 • ROTOWIRE

NL East Preview: Phillies bring back core as they try to hold off new-look Mets, banged-up Braves

Still powered by Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, the Philadelphia Phillies are bringing back mostly the same team that won its second consecutive NL East title last season and mad...

MARCH 19 • Associated Press

Wheeler throws second live BP, eyes first start of season CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler feels good, which is the most important thing people need to know. He threw a two-inn...

MARCH 18 • MLB.COM

Phillies manager Rob Thomson provides update on Zack Wheeler ahead of Opening Day | Sporting News Will the Phillies' ace be ready?

MARCH 16 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Makes progress in live BP session Wheeler (shoulder) told reporters that he felt "more in sync" during his live batting practice session Saturday, Lochlahn March of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Impact Saturday was Wheeler's first time facing batters since undergoing thoracic outlet surgery in September to remove a blood clot in his right shoulder. He threw 20 pitches during Saturday's session and noted that his fastball reached 93 mph, which was higher than it had been during his bullpen sessions but still lower than his 95.9 mph average last season. Wheeler will continue to build up his velocity and will likely have another bullpen session in the coming days, but it's not clear as to whether he will pitch in a Grapefruit League game before the conclusion of spring training.

MARCH 14 • ROTOWIRE

Wheeler faces hitters for first time since September surgery CLEARWATER, Fla. – The few Phillies fans lucky enough to be at BayCare Ballpark on Saturday morning watched Zack Wheeler take his latest ste...

MARCH 14 • MLB.COM

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Cristopher Sánchez guaranteed $104 million from Phillies in 6-year contract for 2027-32

Phillies Ace Christopher Sánchez Agrees to Reworked 6-Year Deal

Rookie right-hander Andrew Painter makes Phillies' opening day roster as No. 5 starter

NL East Preview: Phillies bring back core as they try to hold off new-look Mets, banged-up Braves