Phillies’ Zack Wheeler gets return date after rehab assignment

One of the game’s best pitchers is close to returning to the mound for the Philadelphia Phillies. Wheeler’s 2025 season was shut down after he needed surgery to remove a blood clot in his right shoulder. Wheeler has been progressing and pitched in a few rehab stints over the last few weeks.

It is now official that Wheeler will return on Saturday on the road against the Atlanta Braves.

“Zack Wheeler will return in Atlanta on Saturday. Painter will go Friday, then Wheeler, then Nola on Sunday,” Charlotte Varnes said on X.

There is no better time for Wheeler to return than right now. Philly has gotten off to a very slow start this season with an 8-14 record. The New York Mets have it worse as they are in the midst of an 11-game losing streak; however, the Phillies have lost six games in a row. We are not accustomed to seeing these teams lose like this, especially with two of the highest payrolls in the sport behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Phillies are hoping that Wheeler can pick up where he left off and display another Cy Young-caliber season in 2026. They desperately need him to. Cristopher Sanchez has emerged as the clear ace of the rotation in Wheeler’s absence, and they will be a solid 1-2 punch this season. It does not seem like manager Rob Thomson is going to pitch them in back-to-back games in the rotation, with Aaron Nola expected to pitch on Sunday after Wheeler.

Nola and Jesus Luzardo have gotten off to rough starts this season. With rookie Andrew Painter emerging, the Phillies have the talent there in the rotation. We will see if they turn the page.

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