It won't be long before spring training begins for the Philadelphia Phillies. With pitchers and catchers due to report to Clearwater, Florida, on Feb. 11 for the first scheduled workout, position battles will begin to be addressed. As with every other MLB team, the Phillies have their fair share of questions before the beginning of the season.
Philadelphia's starting rotation has been the biggest strength of its roster the last couple of seasons. It's one of the reasons the front office felt comfortable not re-signing Ranger Suárez this winter. However, there are some concerns, especially following MLB Network's latest starting pitcher rankings based on "The Shredder."
Phillies have a massive disparity in their starting rotation ahead of spring training
MLB Now's Top 10 starting pitcher rankings heading into 2026 feature two Phillies. Zack Wheeler is No. 3 behind Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes while Cristopher Sánchez is No. 5 after his phenomenal breakout 2025 season. Fellow Phillies starter Jesús Luzardo had a solid first year in Philadelphia, but didn't make the cut.
Regardless, Phillies fans should have confidence in Sánchez and Luzardo. Beyond them, the rotation has some concerns.
This is how The Shredder lined up the #Top10RightNow starting pitchers! pic.twitter.com/xGog4Hn3qL
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 29, 2026
For as strong as the starting pitching has been for the Phillies, there are some concerns. When will Wheeler make his season debut? There is a strong possibility he won't be ready to pitch at the start of the regular season.
The right-hander underwent two procedures in 2025. He had one surgery in August to remove a blood clot from his right shoulder and another in September for venous thoracic outlet syndrome. Will Wheeler be able to regain his previous form as one of the best pitchers in MLB once shakes off the rust?
Aaron Nola had an uncharacteristically bad 2025 season and missed several months with injuries. He managed only a handful of solid outings in 17 appearances. The seventh overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft compiled a 6.01 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP, both career worsts.
The veteran right-hander typically gets off to an inconsistent start during the first month of the season before rounding into form. Hopefully, 2025 was an aberration for him. If he deals with injuries that keep him out for a significant amount of time and struggles on the mound, the Phillies starting rotation will take a hit.
Taijuan Walker and rookie Andrew Painter will be competing for starting roles during spring training. Walker has shifted between starting and relief roles since midway through 2024. The hope is that Painter can secure a role for Opening Day or early in the regular season. If not, the Phillies will have an issue to sort out at the backend of their rotation. Either way, it wouldn't be surprising to see the top prospect experience some growing pains when he reaches the majors.
Suárez's departure from the Phillies rotation is felt before spring training due to the uncertainty surrounding Wheeler, Nola, Walker, and Painter. All indications are that the Phillies starters will emerge as a strength for the club, but there is quite an obvious imbalance within the group.