Veteran Phillies Righthander Zack Wheeler Takes Steps Towards Recovery, Yet Uncertainty Remains.
In a positive development for Philadelphia fans, Phillies manager Rob Thomson confirmed that Zack Wheeler is gradually ramping up his workload after a blood clot and subsequent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome nearly brought an end to his 2025 season. Although Wheeler isn't yet ready to take the mound again, he's been throwing from 90 feet on flat ground, with reports indicating he's doing "very well."
Wheeler's recovery was initially expected to take six to eight months, but it appears he's making faster progress than initially anticipated. With lefty Cristopher Sánchez currently serving as the team's top starter and Jesús Luzardo projected as the No. 2, Wheeler's status remains uncertain. The veteran righthander struggled with a dip in velocity before his diagnosis, raising questions about whether he'll return to form.
As Wheeler continues to rebuild strength and endurance, fans are left wondering if the 35-year-old will regain his Cy Young-level performance or if it's a thing of the past. With the Phillies' offseason underway, the team is now focusing on building momentum for the upcoming season, with Wheeler's eventual return playing a crucial role in their overall strategy.
While there's no official timetable for Wheeler's return to action, his steady progress has offered a glimmer of hope to fans who had grown accustomed to his dominant performances. As the Phillies look to reestablish themselves as a competitive force in the National League, Zack Wheeler's recovery will be a closely watched development.
In a positive development for Philadelphia fans, Phillies manager Rob Thomson confirmed that Zack Wheeler is gradually ramping up his workload after a blood clot and subsequent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome nearly brought an end to his 2025 season. Although Wheeler isn't yet ready to take the mound again, he's been throwing from 90 feet on flat ground, with reports indicating he's doing "very well."
Wheeler's recovery was initially expected to take six to eight months, but it appears he's making faster progress than initially anticipated. With lefty Cristopher Sánchez currently serving as the team's top starter and Jesús Luzardo projected as the No. 2, Wheeler's status remains uncertain. The veteran righthander struggled with a dip in velocity before his diagnosis, raising questions about whether he'll return to form.
As Wheeler continues to rebuild strength and endurance, fans are left wondering if the 35-year-old will regain his Cy Young-level performance or if it's a thing of the past. With the Phillies' offseason underway, the team is now focusing on building momentum for the upcoming season, with Wheeler's eventual return playing a crucial role in their overall strategy.
While there's no official timetable for Wheeler's return to action, his steady progress has offered a glimmer of hope to fans who had grown accustomed to his dominant performances. As the Phillies look to reestablish themselves as a competitive force in the National League, Zack Wheeler's recovery will be a closely watched development.
. He was one of those guys you always took for granted, but now he's got fans wondering if he'll ever be the same 
. Six months down, who knows how long it'll take? The more they talk about him rebuilding strength and endurance, the more I think he'll need to prove himself all over again 
. Not sure what to make of this, but you can bet we'll be watching his every move closely 
.
️ 90 feet of flat ground throwing is huge step forward 
! Still got a lot of work ahead of him but at least we know he's not going down without a fight 
. Can't help but wonder if he'll be back to his old self, those Cy Young vibes 
...we've all been there with injuries & setbacks before, so fingers crossed for ZW! 
I'm so stoked to hear that Zack Wheeler is making progress with his recovery 
! Six months was such a long time to think he won't be back on the mound 
, but it sounds like he's crushing it now 
. The uncertainty around when he'll actually come back is still super frustrating tho 
...I mean, can we just have a definitive answer already? 
But honestly, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he finds his mojo again 
and leads the Phillies to another killer season 
! 
I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high but it's hard not to feel like Wheeler's gonna come back swinging 
. Will be interesting to see how the team adjusts with Sánchez and Luzardo carrying the load for now 
[A GIF of a baseball player recovering from an injury, with a clock ticking in the background]
[An image of Zack Wheeler throwing on flat ground, with a progress bar above him]
[A meme of a person thinking, with thought bubbles showing different scenarios: "Will he regain his Cy Young-level performance?" and "Is it a thing of the past?"]
[An animated GIF of a baseball player running back onto the field, with confetti and balloons]
i know there's still uncertainty around when he'll be back on the mound but at least we're getting updates and seeing progress. his journey is a reminder that injuries are a part of sports, but with hard work and dedication, people can overcome them 
I'm kinda curious how they're gonna adjust their lineup without Zack Wheeler for so long, and now that Cristopher Sánchez is stepping up, is he really ready to lead the team? 
Still hoping he can regain his speed, though - that guy was on fire 
I mean, he's only 35 but has been dealing with some major injuries... 
The Phillies are counting on him big time for their season, and fans are getting a little anxious. 
. i'm trying not to jinx it or anything, but it's hard not to wonder if we're just setting ourselves up for disappointment again 
️. Can’t have all hope and expectation placed on one guy, you know?