It almost feels like Zack Wheeler never even left. When the Philadelphia Phillies’ ace was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome in August 2025, there was general skepticism regarding whether he would ever pitch again, let alone at a high level.
Not eight months later, Wheeler took the mound again for the Phillies, and it was like he had never left. Despite being one rib shorter than he was a year ago—he had his right rib near the shoulder removed during surgery—Wheeler remained the ace he had been in Philadelphia since 2020, earning NL Comeback Player of the Year honors at the MLB Awards on Wednesday in Las Vegas.
By the All-Star break, Wheeler had an otherworldly 2.13 ERA. And though he was snubbed from the Midsummer Classic and expressed his feelings publicly on the matter, he had reestablished himself as one of the three co-aces of the Phillies’ staff.
Between him, Jesús Luzardo, and Cris Sánchez, the three-headed monster atop the Phillies rotation was as good as any in Phillies history. That includes the Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt trio in 2010, and the Halladay, Cliff Lee, Hamels group the following season.
Despite his late start, Wheeler finished the season with 162.0 innings pitched, 193 strikeouts, and a 3.00 ERA, good for an ERA+ of 150. Among all NL pitchers, only Luzardo, Sánchez, Yamamoto, Sale, and Misiorowski finished stronger in the latter category.
Where does Zack Wheeler rank among pitcher in Phillies franchise history?
Wheeler has now been a Phillie for seven years. He signed a five-year contract ahead of the 2020 season and re-signed with Philadelphia after 2024 on a three-year, $126 million deal worth a $42 million AAV, making him the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history.
His deal ends after the 2027 season, and Wheeler has openly contemplated retirement after his contract expires. There’s been a real absence of conversation regarding what, exactly, Wheeler’s legacy in Philadelphia will be once his career is over.
Though he’s yet to add a ring to his résumé, Wheeler is one of the greatest postseason pitchers of his generation, throwing 74.1 playoff innings to a 2.30 ERA and propelling the Phillies to an NL pennant in 2022.
His 2.92 ERA in red pinstripes is the lowest for any Phillies pitcher with over 1000 innings pitched since the deadball era ended, surpassing both Jim Bunning and Steve Carlton. In fact, his ERA+ is a full 12 points better than the runner-up, Curt Schilling.
Wheeler is the all-time Phillies leader in K/9 and ranks sixth in franchise history in career WAR behind only Aaron Nola, Cole Hamels, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Steve Carlton, and Robin Roberts.
Phillies fans are lucky to have witnessed the prime of Wheeler’s career as a Phillie at Citizens Bank Park. In his potential swan-song season, it’s a good thing he’s receiving the honors he deserves.
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