Phillies get great sign with Zack Wheeler amid first live game action

The Philadelphia Phillies are entering the 2026 MLB season with a few pitchers from last year's team not on the roster. Ranger Suarez is with the Boston Red Sox, while Zack Wheeler is recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome.

Being without Wheeler for some time is going to sting, but fortunately, his recovery this spring has gone well. So well, in fact, that the Phillies are finally going to see Wheeler get some actual game action soon.

According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, the Phillies are going to see Wheeler take the mound in a minor league game for his first live action. While he's thrown bullpens and has faced hitters, this is his first game action this spring.

Phillies get good sign with Zack Wheeler's recovery

"Zack Wheeler will pitch in a minor-league game Monday," Gelb reports. "He'll have 40 pitches. First game action for him."

Wheeler, the 35-year-old right-hander, is set to step on the mound in a live game for the first time since his 2025 season was cut short in August last year.

While he's worked his way back, facing hitters in live bullpen sessions, this game action for Wheeler is the first time he will be stepping on the mound during an actual game since his injury.

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Getting Wheeler back early in the season would be huge for the Phillies. The righty had a 2.71 ERA in 24 starts last year before he was forced to miss the rest of the season.

In his Phillies career since signing in 2020, Wheeler has posted a very impressive 2.91 ERA across 157 starts.

He's been one of the best pitchers of the 2020's, and if he could put together a strong year in 2026 after coming back from this injury scare, it wouldn't be huge for just the Phillies, but for Wheeler as well.

He's been progressing well this spring, and this report from Gelb is the best news yet. Wheeler is getting closer to an MLB return, and while he will miss some time, the Phillies might have their full-strength rotation early this year.

More MLB news:

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• Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki will return to rotation, not bullpen according Dave Roberts
• Konnor Griffin projected to make Pirates Opening Day roster by two analysts
• Alex Cora announces Caleb Durbin is Red Sox starting third baseman
• Joey Wentz is out for the season with a torn ACL for the Braves
• Reds’ Hunter Greene to be out until July amid brutal injury news
• Braves predicted to trade Bryce Elder for Lars Nootbaar