CHICAGO (AP) \u2014 Philadelphia ace right-hander Zack Wheeler, out since last August because of a blood clot found near his right shoulder and thoracic outlet surgery, will return to the struggling Phillies rotation on Saturday in Atlanta, manager Rob Thomson said Tuesday.<\/p>\n
A three-time All-Star, the 35-year-old Wheeler last pitched on Aug. 15, 2025, at Washington, exiting after five innings.<\/p>\n
Wheeler finished his sixth season with the Phillies at 10-5 with a 2.71 ERA through 149 2\/3 innings and 24 starts. He\u2019s 113-75 with a 3.28 ERA for his career over 11 seasons with Philadelphia and the New York Mets.<\/p>\n
Wheeler completed a five-game minor league rehab stint on Sunday when he threw 77 pitches for Double-A Reading. The righty also pitched for Triple-A Lehigh Valley during the assignment.<\/p>\n
Thomson didn\u2019t think Wheeler, who rejoined the Phillies in Chicago, would face significant restrictions against the Braves.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see him as kind of a six (inning), 90 (pitch) guy,\u201d Thomson said before the Phillies faced the Cubs. \u201cI think he\u2019s basically at the end of spring training.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wheeler\u2019s return could provide a much-needed boost to the Phillies, who entered Tuesday on a six-game slide that dropped them to 8-14.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think having Zack Wheeler on your 26-man roster makes you a better roster no matter what,\u201d Thomson said. \u201cSo when he\u2019s healthy and pitching, well he\u2019s one of, if not the best pitcher in the National League.\u201d<\/p>\n
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