PHILADELPHIA -- Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler struck out nine in 5 2/3 innings in his fourth rehab start on Tuesday night with Double-A Reading.
Wheeler struck out five of the first six Somerset batters he faced in Bridgewater Township, N.J., including the side in the second inning. Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe, who began a rehab assignment on Tuesday, struck out twice against Wheeler.
“He was 92-95 [mph], so he touched 95,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “That was good. He said he felt good after the outing. Somebody asked him if he started to run out of gas and he said, ‘No, I felt good’ -- even at the end. So, all in all, a good outing.”
Wheeler allowed a two-out double in the sixth inning to Yankees top prospect George Lombard Jr. (No. 27 overall prospect in MLB) to allow his first run to score. Wheeler struck out the next batter before leaving the game with two on and two outs in the sixth, having thrown 72 pitches. Reliever Luke Russo promptly allowed a three-run home run to Garrett Martin to spoil Wheeler’s line.
Wheeler, who struck out nine and walked zero while allowing three runs over 5 2/3 innings, is expected to make a fifth rehab start on Sunday with Reading.
“He still has time for one more after that,” Thomson said.
Pitchers have 30 days to rehab in the Minor Leagues, so Wheeler does have time to make another one. A sixth rehab start is not expected "because [Wheeler’s] pitch count should be where we want it," per Thomson, though the manager added it could happen based on performance.
“It depends on how he feels and how he feels about his stuff,” Thomson said prior to Tuesday's outing. “The last one was good. I was really encouraged by it. We’ll see.”
If Wheeler rejoins the Phillies’ rotation following his next rehab start on Sunday, he could make his season debut next weekend (April 24-26) against the Braves in Atlanta.