Phillies Skipper Provides Injury Update on Zack Wheeler

The best version of the Philadelphia Phillies rotation and roster includes Zack Wheeler. The big question heading into 2026 is, when will the team’s ace be back on the mound after undergoing surgery and having his 2025 season cut short? 

The Phillies have yet to give a date for when Wheeler could be back, but the overwhelming feeling is that it’ll be at some point within the first few months of the season, which is great news for a rotation that still appears lacking depth on paper. 

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Rob Thomson spoke with reporters on Monday and gave an update on where Wheeler stands as pitchers and catchers begin to report to Clearwater this week. 

“He threw on Saturday. They said it was very good. I didn't see it, but they said it was very good,” explained Wheeler.
We're still plugging along, and it all depends on strength and that type of thing. All that being said, he's doing well. I don't think we'll be ready for opening day, but it's not gonna be too far behind that.”

Jul 6, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) reacts after a strike out during the ninth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Obviously, it’s great that Wheeler appears to be doing well and may only miss a short amount of the season. However, the Phillies must still be careful and play it safe with Wheeler, given his age and the major injury he's coming off.

That approach is exactly what Thomson said the team plans to take with Wheeler. “We’re not going to push him. He’s far too important for our club to push him and him have a setback, and then we’re behind in April,” said the Phillies skipper. 

When Wheeler underwent surgery last August, the timetable was about 6 to 8 months. With that in mind, he isn’t too far off from that initial schedule. 

Before Wheeler was shut down late last summer, he owned a 2.71 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP with a strikeout rate of 33.3 percent. Who knows what the right-hander will look like once he is back and healthy, but even if Wheeler is semi-close to that pitcher he was in early 2025, he’ll be a massive boost for the Phillies.

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