Latest News on Zack Wheeler's Timeline to Return to Phillies After Surgery to Remove Blood Clot

Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler could be on the mound shortly after the beginning of the season.

According to MLB.com's Paul Casella, Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Monday that he doesn't think Wheeler will be able to pitch Opening Day but "doesn't think he'll be too far behind that."

He added that Wheeler is doing well in rehab after undergoing surgery to remove a blood clot in August.

Wheeler began experiencing shoulder soreness in August, and he was diagnosed with a blood clot near his right shoulder a few weeks later.

After the initial surgery to remove the blood clot, Wheeler had to undergo a second surgery following a venous thoracic outlet syndrome diagnosis. The recovery timeline for that surgery was six to eight months, which meant his season ended prematurely.

Wheeler, who previously said he plans to retire when his contract expires after the 2027 season, did not consider retiring because of the injury, according to Phillies general manager Dave Dombrowski.

Wheeler missed the entirety of the 2015 and 2016 campaigns while still with the New York Mets, but he's managed to avoid long-term injuries since arriving in Philadelphia in 2020.

In six seasons with the Phillies, Wheeler has gone 69-37 with a 2.91 ERA (1.02 WHIP) and 9.5 K/9 rate, almost always asserting himself in the Cy Young race. In 2025, Wheeler went 10-5 with a 2.71 ERA and a career-high 0.94 WHIP.

While it remains to be seen how soon after Opening Day Wheeler will be available, there have been several indications that he's excelling in his rehab. The Athletic's Matt Gelb reported in January that Wheeler was throwing from 75 feet.

"The trainers seem to think he's doing very well," Thomson said.

Gelb added that nothing "suggests he will miss a large chunk of time during the season."