'A successful spring': Wheeler optimistic despite Grapefruit League absence

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Zack Wheeler's spring with the Phillies couldn’t have gone any better.

His work will continue this weekend in Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said following Monday’s Grapefruit League finale against the Rays at BayCare Ballpark that Wheeler will begin a rehab assignment on Saturday with the IronPIgs. He will pitch three innings against Toledo in Allentown, Pa.

Rehab assignments for pitchers can last 30 days, so Wheeler remains on target for an April return to the Phillies’ rotation.

On Monday morning, Wheeler pitched a two-inning simulated game against Minor Leaguers at Carpenter Complex. He retired seven of the eight batters he faced. He threw 29 pitches, including everything in his arsenal. His velocity hovered in the 94 mph range, according to Thomson.

“A successful spring,” Wheeler said.

Wheeler could make three or four starts for the IronPigs before joining the rotation next month.

“Four-ish, give or take,” Wheeler said.

Wheeler will fly with the Phillies to Philadelphia on Monday evening for Opening Day on Thursday at Citizens Bank Park. In between his starts with the IronPigs, he can return to Philadelphia to be checked by Phillies staff.

“It would’ve been nice to get into a [Grapefruit League] game, but this is good enough. … We kind of mapped it out, and this was part of the plan. It’s good to just check that box, and kind of had no setbacks as we’ve moved through camp to be able to get to this point.”

Wheeler said he didn’t know how hard he was throwing on Monday, but he said he tried to throw harder in the second inning. It looked like he was.

“I was just trying to take it up a little bit,” he said.

Wheeler will have more boxes to check over the next few weeks. He lost weight immediately following his surgery in September because he needed to follow a strict diet. He said he’s still down about 10 pounds from the 205 he pitched at last season.

He’ll try to get that back, but he’s pitched lighter in the past.

“I pitched at 185 when I was with the Mets and I did well and I threw just as hard,” he said.

Regardless of his weight, the Phillies are as optimistic as ever that Wheeler will not only return to the Phillies’ rotation next month, but return to his Cy Young-caliber form.

“I’m very confident,” Thomson said. “His command has been normal. The velocity is normal for this time of Spring Training for him. I don’t have any reason to not be confident.”

Right-hander Orion Kerkering threw an inning at the complex. It was his third appearance of the spring. He will open the season on the injured list because of a strained right hamstring, but he could be activated as early as April 7.

He will pitch on Wednesday in Clearwater, then on Saturday with Triple-A.

Kerkering threw his splitter, too. It’s a new pitch this spring.