Zack Wheeler Takes Mound Again After Surgery

Phillies star pitcher Zack Wheeler has made encouraging progress in his recovery from thoracic outlet decompression surgery. He recently completed his first bullpen session since the procedure on September 23rd. During this session, Wheeler threw both four-seam and two-seam fastballs, with team management noting good velocity and ball flight.

While Wheeler is definitively ruled out for Opening Day, his return to big league games might be possible in approximately six weeks. However, the team emphasizes that his timeline is fluid and dependent on how he feels and recovers. A more realistic window for his return is projected to be late April to early May.

Management expressed great optimism about Wheeler's recovery, highlighting his extensive offseason work and the resulting strength in his shoulder. They believe his dedication has made his shoulder stronger than it has ever been, providing a very positive outlook for his eventual return to the mound.