The Philadelphia Phillies felt the devastation of losing ace Zack Wheeler in the final months of the 2025 season. The club tried their best to compete without him in the postseason but fell short of their ultimate goal of a World Series. Wheeler is vital to the team's success, but the injury he sustained was significant and posed a serious threat to his 2026 season.
Wheeler first went on the injured list with a blood clot followed by venous thoracic outlet syndrome. Wheeler went under the knife in September and the timetable for his return was expected to be a lengthy one with an original expected return date that could have pushed into June.
Given that Wheeler will be 36 in May, it also meant slowly easing the Cy Young candidate back into play. His chance at Opening Day was obviously in doubt from the beginning, but reports suggest that Wheeler may be closer to that timeline than originally projected (subscription required).
Zack Wheeler could return to Phillies rotation shortly after Opening Day
It's a tough pill to swallow for the Phillies to not have their ace for Opening Day. The first game of the regular season is a ritual among baseball fans. It's a chance for the Phillies to start 2026 fresh and on the best foot possible. If anyone can give a team that feeling while toeing the rubber, it's Wheeler.
Luckily for both Wheeler and the Phillies, his current rehab progression sparks confidence that he'll be able to play shortly after Opening Day. On Monday, Phillies manager Rob Thomson gave an update on Wheeler's situation, per MLB.com's Paul Casella.
“He's doing well; I don't think he'll be ready for Opening Day,” Thomson said, per Casella. “But it's not going to be too far behind that.”
Not a surprise, but Rob Thomson says he doesn't expect Zack Wheeler to be ready by Opening Day, but adds he "doesn't think he'll be too far behind that."
— Paul Casella (@Paul_CasellaMLB) February 9, 2026
Says all is going well with Wheeler's rehab to this point.
At this point, the Phillies should absolutely be grateful that Wheeler didn't call it a career after the type of injury he went through down the stretch. Not many pitchers have ever experienced what Wheeler did, but the fact that he's gearing up to possibly pitch in April is outstanding.
Thomson said that Wheeler's throwing program has been going well, with his most recent workout taking place this past weekend. The Phillies need Wheeler to take his time to get back to full health, but an earlier return would be much preferred for the starter who has taken the mound on Opening Day the past two years. Rising left-handed star Cristopher Sánchez will take Wheeler's place as the No. 1 until he returns.
Wheeler had another great year in 2025, following his runner-up for NL Cy Young in 2024. In 24 starts, he pitched to a 2.71 ERA with 195 strikeouts in 149 2/3 innings. Wheeler was named an All-Star for the third time in his career and finished ninth in NL Cy Young voting. Wheeler may not be the man to start the Phillies’ season, but he will sure be looking to finish it after he returns to the field.