The Philadelphia Phillies have some catching up to do in the National League East. The Phillies are currently taking on the Chicago Cubs in a three-game series, but will travel to Atlanta to take on the Braves for a weekend series.
During that series, Zack Wheeler will make his season debut.
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Zack Wheeler Set to Make Season Debut on Saturday vs. Braves
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 9: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the top of the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park on July 9, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Against the Atlanta Braves, the Phillies’ ace will make his season debut. He’s been recovering from Thoriac Outlet Syndrome to remove a blood clot in his right shoulder.
Per Phillies reporter Charlotte Varnes: “Zack Wheeler will return in Atlanta on Saturday. [Andrew] Painter will go Friday, then Wheeler, then [Aaron] Nola on Sunday.”
It’s great news for a Phillies team that has been reeling and was recently swept by the Atlanta Braves. Philadelphia is 8-14 and on the verge of having the worst record in MLB.
However, Wheeler is one of the game’s best starters, and he can certainly anchor a pitching staff for several months.
ESPN News Services wrote (on April 21):
“Wheeler completed a five-game minor league rehab stint Sunday when he threw 77 pitches for Double-A Reading. The righty also pitched for Triple-A Lehigh Valley during the assignment. Thomson said he didn’t think Wheeler, who rejoined the Phillies in Chicago, would face significant restrictions against the Braves .”
This is what manager Rob Thomson had to say as well:
“I see him as kind of a six [innings], 90 [pitches] guy,” Thomson said before the Phillies faced the Cubs. “I think he’s basically at the end of spring training.”
Sounds like Zack Wheeler won’t miss a beat in the rotation.
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Zack Wheeler with the Phillies
With the Phillies, Zack Wheeler has been arguably the best pitcher in MLB.
In 24 starts in 2025, Wheeler boasted a 2.71 ERA with 195 strikeouts.
Since signing with the Phillies, he’s made 157 starts and has a 2.91 ERA with the club. He’s come of so close to winning the NL Cy Young multiple times, but perhaps what’s more impressive is his ability to start every fifth day.
In 200 innings flat in 2024, Wheeler finished second in Cy Young voting after posting an ERA of 2.57 and 224 strikeouts.
Now, the Phillies are at full strength in their rotation. Wheeler will join Christopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola, and Andrew Painter in the rotation, which likely means Taijuan Walker will depart from the starting staff.
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Update: Phillies’ Zack Wheeler To Make Season Debut vs. Braves