The Philadelphia Phillies are gearing up for a pivotal season, one that could be the last hurrah for their current roster as a World Series contender. With an aging lineup, every player's contribution will be crucial, and the return of Zack Wheeler could be a game-changer.
Wheeler, who has been sidelined with thoracic outlet syndrome, is making strides towards his comeback. According to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki, the Phillies received some promising news about their ace.
Zolecki reports that Wheeler is set to throw his first live bullpen session on Saturday. This is a significant step forward in his recovery, indicating positive progress as the regular season draws near.
While Wheeler isn't ready for game action just yet, facing live hitters in a bullpen session is a promising sign for the right-hander. It suggests he's on track to rejoin the Major League roster and reclaim his spot in the rotation.
At 35, Wheeler remains one of baseball's top pitchers when healthy. Since joining the Phillies in 2020, he's boasted an impressive 2.91 ERA over 157 starts. Last season, before his diagnosis, Wheeler was in fine form with a 2.71 ERA across 24 starts, earning an All-Star nod and a 5.0 bWAR by early August.
Though his recovery journey has been challenging, Zolecki's update about Wheeler's live bullpen session is encouraging for both the Phillies and their ace as Opening Day approaches.