Zack Wheeler Opens Up on 'Anxiety' of Phillies Return After Surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

In most instances, snapping a 10-game losing streak would be the most notable thing about the Philadelphia Phillies' 8-5 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday.

But even that took a backseat to the return of Zack Wheeler, who took the mound for the first time since August 2025 after undergoing surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome.

"You think about this moment," Wheeler said, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic. "Me, I just want to get it over with and keep moving on. Just the anxiety of it. I'm glad it's done. Especially when you come out of the game, you get that weight off your shoulders. I mean, it's just the unknown, right?"

Wheeler threw 84 pitches and allowed just two earned runs in his five innings of work. He also struck out six and had more velocity on his fastball than in his minor-league rehab starts.

"The heater was pumping," catcher Rafael Marchán said. "That's like the way he used to be. We're just happy to have him back."

Phillies vs. Braves (04/25/2026)

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The surgery, which required a rib to be removed, addressed a blood clot near his right shoulder and led to extensive rehab. Bryce Harper said the team is "just really proud of him" and "really happy for him" that he is back in the fold.

It took more than just Wheeler's effective five innings to win, though, as the game went into extra innings. Harper played the role of offensive hero with a two-RBI single to break the tie in the 10th, while Brandon Marsh drove in two more after him.

Harper finished with four RBI as the Phillies improved to 9-18 by snapping that streak.

"I'm the next guy up, obviously, I want to stop it," Wheeler said. "That's always kind of been my thing over the years, if we are in a little slump, I want to be the stopper. Even if it's two games in a row, I want to be that guy. I love being in that situation, and I take pride in it."

With Wheeler back in the rotation, Philadelphia can now focus on making up some of the 9.5-game deficit it faces in the early going of the 2026 season as it attempts to catch the Braves in the National League East.