Bold takeaway: One of baseball’s brightest stars is inching back toward the mound, and his return plan could redefine the Phillies’ rotation in 2026. But here’s where it gets controversial: even with optimism, a long road—and plenty of unknowns—still stands between Wheeler and a regular-season start.
Wheeler optimistic about recovery, return to Phillies' rotation
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Zack Wheeler may rejoin the Phillies’ rotation sooner rather than later. After Thursday’s bullpen session at BayCare Ballpark, his first since thoracic outlet decompression surgery last September, he approached his locker with clear confidence about his progress.
Here’s the latest: Wheeler is being treated like any other healthy pitcher during spring activities. He indicated that he’s not far behind where he would typically be at this stage of spring training, even if the situation is a bit different due to his recent surgery.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson framed Wheeler’s Thursday bullpen as a potential starting point for a roughly six-week ramp-up aimed at making him big-league game-ready by the end of that period. Wheeler himself acknowledged that six weeks is the general target, though he cautioned that nothing is guaranteed.
If you count back six weeks from Thursday, that timeline points to April 9. But Wheeler remains realistic about the pace, noting he doesn’t even know when his next bullpen will be scheduled.
Thomson, speaking after Friday’s 10-2 win over the Marlins, said the Phillies are pursuing a regular buildup plan for Wheeler, with a bullpen session slated for Sunday after a two-day break. The plan includes a 25-pitch outing featuring fastballs and a changeup.
In his Thursday 21-pitch bullpen, Wheeler threw with 80-85 percent effort, using four-seam and two-seam fastballs. He described the session as feeling good, smooth, and natural.
Wheeler reflected on his spring routine, noting that in years past his mound work varied—sometimes taking four to five mound sessions before camp truly began, other times pitching in a mound session only once or not at all. He attributes this to how he carried momentum from the prior year.
As for participating in a Grapefruit League game or a Minor League game before camp ends on March 23, Wheeler isn’t certain. The Phillies have emphasized they won’t push him aggressively given his importance to the club. When healthy, Wheeler is widely regarded as one of the game’s elite pitchers and a standout postseason performer. He has also affirmed he won’t rush his return, even while denying a slow, methodical approach just to preserve health.
“If I’m ready to go, I’m ready to go,” Wheeler stated. “I don’t think I have any problem when October comes usually. So, I don’t think this year is different than any other year, trying to preserve.”
Follow-up thought: With Wheeler’s potential return looming, how should the Phillies balance patient rehabilitation with the urgency to restore a top-tier frontline starter to a rotation already counting on strong contributions from other arms? Share your view on whether a cautious ramp or a bold, early return best serves long-term playoff hopes.
