Wheeler takes next major step in rehab with first 'pen session

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- It’s another step forward for Phillies ace Zack Wheeler.

On Thursday morning at BayCare Ballpark, Wheeler threw his first bullpen session since having thoracic outlet decompression surgery on Sept. 23. He threw four-seam and two-seam fastballs in a 21-pitch session.

“The velo was good, the ball flight was good,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said following a 7-3 Grapefruit League victory over the Nationals. “He hit the glove. It was good. He felt great. We’ll check him tomorrow, find out how he’s feeling and get a plan going moving forward.”

Wheeler will not be ready by Opening Day. The Phillies ruled out that possibility weeks ago. But asked if Wheeler could be ready for big league games in six weeks, Thomson said, “Possibly.”

Possibly doesn’t mean likely, however. Wheeler’s timeline is fluid. They will not rush him back.

His health is too important.

“It all depends on how he feels and how he recovers,” Thomson said. “It’s new stuff, and it’s different from a lot of other injuries. You can’t pin it down to a week or a day, really.”

“I'm missing Opening Day, so there's no need to rush back and try to come back a week after that,” Wheeler said a couple of weeks ago. “You want to be back, but you also don't want to rush it at the same time.”

Late April to early May might be a more realistic window for Wheeler, who might not even pitch in a Grapefruit League or Minor League game before the Phillies leave for Philadelphia on March 23.

“I guess it’s possible,” Thomson said about Wheeler pitching in a game before the Phillies leave Florida.

But they’re not counting on it?

“I hope [he pitches],” he said.

Thomson said Wheeler typically throws four or five bullpen sessions before he arrives to camp every spring.

“Those, he’s not coming off injury,” Thomson pointed out.

At the beginning of camp, a healthy pitcher will rest two days between bullpen sessions. If that schedule holds true for Wheeler, his next time throwing off a mound would be Sunday.

“But I can’t answer that because this is different,” Thomson said.

Forgetting any projected timeline for a moment, the most important thing is that everything has been positive about Wheeler’s recovery.

“He’s worked awfully hard,” Thomson said. “And that’s the key to it. He’s worked harder than he’s ever worked in the offseason. It’s a really good sign. He’s strong. The shoulder is stronger than it ever has been. So, really feel good about it. ... I’m telling you, it was very encouraging.”