BREAKING NEWS: Wheeler Return ‘Very Close’ for Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies have had a sluggish start to the season, with their offensive performance being the primary culprit. Their pitching, however, has largely been solid — and could soon get even stronger with Zack Wheeler on the verge of returning.

According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the team received encouraging news ahead of Wheeler’s rehab start against a New York Yankees minor league squad. Morosi indicated that if the outing goes well, Wheeler may need just one more before rejoining the big league club, marking the end of a long-awaited comeback.

Wheeler has been sidelined since mid-August 2025, recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome. The 35-year-old right-hander is nearing the end of that process, though his return timeline still hinges on how his upcoming rehab appearances go.

In the meantime, the Phillies’ rotation has held up reasonably well. Cristopher Sanchez continues to pitch at a high level, Aaron Nola and Jesus Luzardo have been serviceable, and while Andrew Painter has been inconsistent early on, he hasn’t been a liability. Even Taijaun Walker has contributed, provided he navigates the first inning. A strong bullpen further bolsters a staff that, once Wheeler is back, could become one of the more formidable units in the league.

Wheeler put together an impressive 2.71 ERA across 24 starts in 2025, so his return would be a significant upgrade for a Phillies team looking to turn their season around.