PHILADELPHIA -- It was Aug. 2 last season when Zack Wheeler took the mound opposite Tarik Skubal in what seemed -- at the time -- as if it could be a pitchers' duel between the eventual Cy Young winner in each league.
Little did anyone know at the time, that would be the last time Wheeler would toe the rubber at Citizens Bank Park for more than nine months.
That long journey back to his home mound came to an end on Wednesday night, when the Phillies ace tossed 6 1/3 innings of three-run ball against the A's. He exited to a standing ovation with the Phils trailing by one run before coming back late for a dramatic 6-3 victory.
“I've been looking forward to it, just getting back out there and just feeling that, you know?” Wheeler said. “So, yeah, I mean it's nice to be back out there and kind of take it all in.”
Wheeler now has a 3.12 ERA through three starts this season -- the first two of which came on the road -- after working his way back from thoracic outlet decompression surgery last September.
“This is the best [start so far], I think,” interim manager Don Mattingly said. “He's been good every time out, so I don't want to make it sound like he hasn't been good, but for me -- just watching from the side -- it felt like there was a little more finish to his stuff. I thought he was really good.”
Despite the three runs, the perennial Cy Young contender continues to look more like himself each time he takes the mound.
Coming off a strong showing on Friday in Miami, Wheeler saw another uptick in his velocity against the A's. He also recorded an out in the seventh inning for the first time since his one-hitter against the Reds on July 6 last season.
And, with the exception of Tyler Soderstrom’s solo homer in the sixth inning, Wheeler mostly limited hard contact. The other two runs he allowed each came on a close play at the plate -- including one on a remarkably athletic slide by Lawrence Butler to evade catcher J.T. Realmuto's tag attempt at the plate.
Given all that has transpired over the past nine months, the Phillies have to be thrilled with what they're getting from the 35-year-old right-hander.
Wheeler had 10 strikeouts in that Aug. 2 showdown with Skubal, but he also had issues with his velocity and his command. He then had his next start pushed back a few days due to shoulder soreness. When he finally pitched again eight days later in Arlington, his velocity was again down across the board.
With everything coming back clean and Wheeler insisting his shoulder was no longer an issue, he made his next start on turn in D.C. -- and looked solid in the process.
It wasn't until the next day that it was announced Wheeler was being placed on the injured list after doctors had discovered a right upper extremity blood clot. Not long after, it was announced that Wheeler would miss the rest of the season after being diagnosed with venous thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS).
The Phillies expressed optimism that Wheeler would be back early this season -- and that he'd be his usual self upon his return.
To this point, there's no reason to believe differently. While Wheeler's velocity is still down a tick from last season overall (96.1 mph), it's worth noting that his velo readings are exactly where they'd typically be at this point in his season.
In his third start last season, Wheeler's four-seamer averaged 94.6 mph. In his third start in 2024, it sat at 93.9 mph.
On Wednesday, it averaged 95.0 mph.
The key now is whether that number continues to trend upwards over his next few outings as it has in past seasons.
“It's kind of just like a little roller coaster right now,” Wheeler said. “It's nothing crazy. I'm not doing terrible, but I feel like I'm still not myself.
“But you know, we'll get there.”