CHICAGO (AP) 鈥� Philadelphia ace right-hander Zack Wheeler, out since last August because of a blood clot found near his right shoulder and thoracic outlet surgery, will return to the struggling Phillies rotation on Saturday in Atlanta, manager Rob Thomson said Tuesday.
A three-time All-Star, the 35-year-old Wheeler last pitched on Aug. 15, 2025, at Washington, exiting after five innings.
Wheeler finished his sixth season with the Phillies at 10-5 with a 2.71 ERA through 149 2/3 innings and 24 starts. He’s 113-75 with a 3.28 ERA for his career over 11 seasons with Philadelphia and the New York Mets.
Wheeler completed a five-game minor league rehab stint on Sunday when he threw 77 pitches for Double-A Reading. The righty also pitched for Triple-A Lehigh Valley during the assignment.
Thomson didn’t think Wheeler, who rejoined the Phillies in Chicago, would face significant restrictions against the Braves.
鈥淚 see him as kind of a six (inning), 90 (pitch) guy,鈥� Thomson said before the Phillies faced the Cubs. 鈥淚 think he’s basically at the end of spring training.鈥�
Wheeler’s return could provide a much-needed boost to the Phillies, who entered Tuesday on a six-game slide that dropped them to 8-14.
鈥淚 think having Zack Wheeler on your 26-man roster makes you a better roster no matter what,鈥� Thomson said. 鈥淪o when he’s healthy and pitching, well he’s one of, if not the best pitcher in the National League.鈥�
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