Zack Wheeler was never expected to be fully ready to pitch in the Phillies' season-opening series this weekend at Citizens Bank Park.
But if his outing with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday afternoon is any indication, Wheeler's 2026 debut may not be too far off.
While fellow veteran right-hander Aaron Nola started Game 2 of the Phillies' opening series against the Rangers, Wheeler took the mound less than 100 miles away against Triple-A Toledo at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pa. The three-time All-Star and perennial Cy Young candidate tossed three scoreless innings, striking out three and walking one while allowing two hits.
Wheeler threw 38 pitches (26 strikes) and induced seven swings and misses. His four-seam fastball averaged 93.3 mph and topped out at 94.3 mph. Though that's obviously down from his usual velocity, it's not all that different from where Wheeler's velocity would typically be in one of his first starts of Spring Training in a normal year.
The IronPigs made the most of Wheeler's first rehab start, organizing a "Rehab Ribs Night" promotion for fans -- an ode to Wheeler keeping the rib he had removed during his thoracic outlet decompression surgery last September.
The initial timetable for Wheeler to rejoin the Phillies was six to eight months following that Sept. 23 procedure. Saturday's outing was the latest encouraging step in that process for Wheeler, who previously pitched a two-inning simulated game against Minor Leaguers in Clearwater, Fla., before the Phillies flew north for the regular season.
Wheeler's next start will come on Friday for the IronPigs in Durham. He's then expected to make a third rehab start for Double-A Reading the following week. It's unclear where his next outing will come at that point, but he remains on track for an April return.
Based on everything they've seen so far, the Phillies are confident that Wheeler will not only be ready in a few weeks, but that he'll be his usual ace-caliber self.
"I’m very confident," manager Rob Thomson said after last week's sim game. "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."
Wheeler was replaced on Saturday by another rehabbing Phillie, with Orion Kerkering taking over to throw a 1-2-3 fourth inning on just 10 pitches (seven strikes). Kerkering, who was sidelined for most of Spring Training by a strained right hamstring, could potentially rejoin the Phillies as early as April 7.