Philadelphia Phillies fans, worry no longer. Ace starter Zack Wheeler should return to the starting rotation shortly.
Scott Lauber wrote (on April 17): “OK, so Zack Wheeler will make one more rehab start Sunday for Reading in Bridgewater, N.J., weather-permitting. That puts him in line to rejoin the #Phillies’ rotation next weekend in Atlanta, which means Taijuan Walker’s spot will come around once more on Wednesday in Chicago.”
Update: Zack Wheeler’s stats for his Sunday rehab start: 4 IP, 77 pitches, four strikeouts, 4 ER, 6 hits allowed. Wheeler’s velo was down a bit, but it was also cold outside. He said this after his rehab start:
“I’m a high 90s guy, mid 90s guy, and it’s not there right now. You kind of have to pitch a little bit more when that happens,” Wheeler said. “You’ve got to move the ball around and you’ve got to hit your spots, you’ve got to fool guys a little bit more than kind of just rearing back and throwing. I think that’s probably going to be the biggest adjustment, if that is still down when I do come back.
Perhaps as important as Zack Wheeler’s return is, it’s equally as important that Taijuan Walker gets shunned from the rotation.
Wheeler is working his way back from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome to remove a blood clot in his right shoulder. He got injured in Sept. 2025 and had to miss the 2025 playoff, which was a huge blow to the Phils at that time.
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Zack Wheeler Should Return to the Phillies Rotation Next Week
GettyThe Phillies are still anticipating Zack Wheeler returning to the majors in April, even after his rough rehab start
So, barring any unforeseen changes/developments, Zack Wheeler should return to the rotation next week, which is great news for the Phillies.
AJ Eustance wrote (on April 18): “Given that Wheeler has continued to pitch like an ace into his mid-30s, the Phillies were never going to risk bringing him back too early. That said, his recovery was progressing well overall, and manager Rob Thomson indicated last month that the club expected a return not “too far beyond” Opening Day. Evidently, the 35-year-old has shown enough in his rehab stint to rejoin the big-league rotation by the end of April.”
Wheeler, unsurprisingly, had a stellar 2025 campaign up until the TOS diagnosis. He posted a 2.71 ERA over 149.2 innings and 24 starts with 195 strikeouts. In 2024, Wheeler posted a 2.57 ERA over 200 innings with 224 strikeouts. Simply one of the game’s best when on the mound.
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The Phillies, after losing the first two games against the Atlanta Braves at their home ballpark in this weekend’s series, are now 8-12, and could certainly use the stability to the rotation that Wheeler will bring.
Christopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo have been fine, but who pitches after them has been a big issue, which includes Taijuan Walker, who has given up a boatload of runs in his first few starts.
Over 18.2 innings, Walker has an ERA north of 9.00 and has surrendered 19 earned runs. In those innings, Walker has given up six home runs.
Walker will almost certainly lose his rotation spot when Zack Wheeler returns, but it will be interesting to see how the Phillies and Rob Thomson utilize Taijaun Walker after Wheeler returns, because he likely can’t be used in any sort of leverage situation. He’s tied to a four-year, $72 million contract, which, for the most part, has not worked out.
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UPDATE: Philadelphia Phillies’ Zack Wheeler Set for Late April Return