DENVER, Colo. – Zack Wheeler will make at least two more minor-league starts before rejoining the Phillies, manager Rob Thomson said Saturday.
Wheeler’s second rehab start was a mixed bag Friday in Durham, N.C. Pitching for the Triple A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the right-hander worked three innings against the Durham Bulls and threw 49 pitches. He allowed four hits, including a homer, and five runs while walking two and striking out one.
Thomson watched the outing on his computer in Denver.
“I thought he was pretty sharp the first two innings,” Thomson said. “He lost command a little bit in the third and had some arm-side misses.”
Wheeler hit two batters and allowed a walk in the third inning. He actually could have gotten out of the inning unscathed, but a misplay in the outfield led to a double and two runs. He then allowed a three-run homer on a 3-0 fastball down the middle.
Wheeler has had no issues in his comeback from surgery to alleviate thoracic outlet syndrome. His health is fine. However, the usual velocity on his fastball has been slow to come. He topped out at 93.9 mph and averaged 92.7 mph on Friday, which was slightly down from his first rehab outing. He averaged 96 mph on the pitch last season.
Thomson was unconcerned about the velocity.
“It’s still spring training for him,” Thomson said. “I’m expecting the velocity to go up as he gets more pitches under his belt and more innings under his belt. And then it will again with the adrenaline when he gets here.”
Wheeler will make his third rehab start Wednesday night at Lehigh Valley. He is expected to reach the 65-pitch mark in that one. He could push 80 in the following start, which could be his last one before joining the big-league club. If Wheeler is pronounced ready to go after two more minor-league starts, he could make his first start for the Phillies during the team’s four-game series at Wrigley Field, which begins April 20. That’s barring any setbacks, of course.