The Philadelphia Phillies are searching for answers early in the 2026 MLB season, as the back-to-back National League East champions have stumbled to an 8-13 record.
Fortunately for Philadelphia, the team is awaiting the return of right-hander Zack Wheeler, who has been working for months to rejoin the starting rotation. The 35-year-old underwent surgery to remove a blood clot in his right throwing shoulder, abruptly ending his 2025 campaign, one of the best of his 11-year career.
Wheeler posted a 10-5 record, 2.71 ERA and 195 strikeouts in 149 2/3 innings last year and was firmly in the NL Cy Young conversation, which would have been his first. He also earned his third All-Star selection for his efforts during the first half.
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As Wheeler looks to turn the page to 2026, his return is now very close. He has made five rehab starts in Philadelphia’s minor-league system, and while the results have been concerning, with some struggles in velocity and effectiveness, he is healthy and nearly built back up.
On Monday, ahead of the Phillies’ series opener against the Chicago Cubs, Wheeler officially returned to the team, rejoining his teammates for the first time since spring training after spending weeks on his rehab assignment.
Shortly after, manager Rob Thomson spoke with reporters and announced an update on Wheeler’s status as fans await his return. “We’ll have something to announce tomorrow,” Thomson said (h/t Casey Drottar of MLB.com).
He added that the club is waiting to see how Wheeler responds on Monday before making any final decision. The hope, however, is that if everything checks out, Wheeler will return this upcoming weekend during the Phillies’ series against the Atlanta Braves.
If he does return, it would be a massive boost for Philadelphia. It remains unclear whether Wheeler can immediately regain his dominant form, but if anyone can, it is the veteran right-hander who has consistently been one of MLB’s best pitchers since joining the Phillies.
Over the past six seasons, Wheeler has helped lead the club to multiple postseason runs, though he is still searching for his first World Series title. Philadelphia is counting on him to help stabilize a rotation that desperately needs him.
