Zack Wheeler to Make Season Debut Saturday Against Braves
Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the fifth inning during a game against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park on April 2, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 5-1. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
The Phillies are getting much-needed rotation help.
Zack Wheeler will be making his return from thoracic outlet syndrome on Saturday, when the Phillies face the Atlanta Braves.
After Wheeler felt “heaviness” after his start on August 15th, 2025, it was reported he would miss the rest of the season with a blood clot in his right shoulder, which was later removed by surgery in the offseason.
Up until the surgery, Wheeler was putting together another Cy Young season with the Phillies. He went 10-5 with a 2.71 ERA in 24 starts and made the Phillies rotation look especially dangerous with him and Cristopher Sanchez pairing as a 1-and-2 duo. Now, Wheeler makes his return when the rotation needs him the most. Many of the pitchers, besides Sanchez, have had bad starts to their 2026 seasons.
As Wheeler reported to spring training, there was much optimism that he could return in early-mid May, and once spring training wrapped up, reports came out that he was going to start rehabbing in the minor leagues and was now projected for a late April return.
In five starts across Double-A and Triple-A, Wheeler pitched 20 innings with 23 strikeouts and a 5.85 ERA. His velocity was around 91-93 mph, and he was on a pitch limit. He will most likely be on a pitch limit Saturday night in Atlanta.
Andrew Painter will start Friday night, with Wheeler following on Saturday, and Aaron Nola ending the series as the Phillies hope for a kick out of Wheeler to snap their current six-game losing streak.
Andrew Glover
Andrew is in his first year covering sports for Philly Sports Reports. He is a podcaster and a digital content creator. Right now, he is in his second semester at Temple University pursuing a degree in Media Studies and Production. He has a certificate in Broadcast Journalism from the Connecticut School of Broadcasting in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
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