While the Philadelphia Phillies have begun the 2026 season with a 4-3 record through Friday, they’ve been doing so without one of their key pitchers. Zack Wheeler, who underwent a late-season procedure to remove a blood clot in 2025, wasn’t expected to pitch early this year, forcing the Phillies to work with a shortened rotation.
That hasn’t stopped the three-time All-Star from making progress. Wheeler participated in multiple bullpen sessions in Clearwater and made a rehab appearance with the Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, in late March.
In his first rehab outing, Wheeler threw three innings, delivering 38 pitches, striking out three batters, and allowing just two hits and a walk.
Second Rehab Start Hits Snags
However, his second rehab start on Friday against the Durham Bulls proved more difficult. Wheeler breezed through the first two innings with 22 pitches, but the third inning saw trouble. Durham’s Raynel Delgado delivered an extra-base hit driving in two runs, followed by a three-run homer from Jacob Melton, resulting in five earned runs for Wheeler.
He finished the outing with three innings pitched, five earned runs, four hits allowed, and one strikeout. MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki reported that Wheeler is scheduled for a third rehab start with Lehigh Valley, though additional appearances remain uncertain.
When he eventually rejoins the Phillies’ rotation, Wheeler is expected to return to the form that earned him a 10-5 record, 2.71 ERA, and 195 strikeouts last season.
