Zack Wheeler, the Phillies ace, is making significant strides in his rehabilitation journey. After undergoing thoracic outlet decompression surgery on September 23, Wheeler took a crucial step forward by participating in his first bullpen session at BayCare Ballpark on Thursday morning. During this session, he threw a mix of four-seam and two-seam fastballs, covering 21 pitches.
Following the session, Phillies manager Rob Thomson expressed optimism, stating, 'The velo was good, the ball flight was good. He hit the glove. It was good. He felt great. We’ll check him tomorrow, find out how he’s feeling and get a plan going moving forward.'
While Wheeler won't be ready for Opening Day, as the Phillies had already ruled out that possibility, there is a glimmer of hope for his return. Thomson hinted at the possibility of Wheeler being ready for big league games in six weeks, but emphasized that this timeline is fluid and not a guarantee. Wheeler himself has expressed a cautious eagerness to return, stating, 'I'm missing Opening Day, so there's no need to rush back and try to come back a week after that. You want to be back, but you also don't want to rush it at the same time.'
The recovery process is new and different, and Thomson acknowledges that it's challenging to predict an exact timeline. He stated, 'It all depends on how he feels and how he recovers. It’s new stuff, and it’s different from a lot of other injuries. You can’t pin it down to a week or a day, really.'
Despite the uncertainty, the positive signs from Wheeler's recovery are encouraging. Thomson praised Wheeler's hard work, noting that he has worked harder than ever during the offseason. This dedication has translated into a stronger shoulder, a significant improvement over his previous condition.
As Wheeler continues his rehabilitation, the focus remains on his health and progress. With a realistic return window potentially opening in late April to early May, the Phillies are cautiously optimistic about their ace's comeback. The next step for Wheeler is to continue his recovery and build up his throwing, with the next bullpen session scheduled for Sunday.
While the timeline remains uncertain, the Phillies are taking a measured approach, prioritizing Wheeler's health and a successful return to the mound.
