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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 29: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during a game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on April 29, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
The Philadelphia Phillies<\/a> have some catching up to do in the National League East. The Phillies are currently taking on the Chicago Cubs<\/a> in a three-game series, but will travel to Atlanta to take on the Braves for a weekend series.<\/p>\n During that series, Zack Wheeler<\/a> will make his season debut.<\/p>\n More MLB<\/a> on Heavy: Phillies Trade Prediction Lands Red Sox\u2019 All-Star Outfielder for Andrew Painter<\/a><\/p>\n Zack Wheeler Set to Make Season Debut on Saturday vs. Braves PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA \u2013 JULY 9: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the top of the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a> at Citizens Bank Park on July 9, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n Against the Atlanta Braves<\/a>, the Phillies\u2019 ace will make his season debut. He\u2019s been recovering from Thoriac Outlet Syndrome to remove a blood clot in his right shoulder.<\/p>\n Per Phillies reporter Charlotte Varnes<\/a>: \u201cZack Wheeler will return in Atlanta on Saturday. [Andrew] Painter will go Friday, then Wheeler, then [Aaron] Nola on Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s great news for a Phillies team that has been reeling and was recently swept by the Atlanta Braves. Philadelphia is 8-14 and on the verge of having the worst record in MLB.<\/p>\n However, Wheeler is one of the game\u2019s best starters, and he can certainly anchor a pitching staff for several months.<\/p>\n ESPN News Services wrote (on April 21):<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWheeler completed a five-game minor league rehab stint Sunday when he threw 77 pitches for Double-A Reading. The righty also pitched for Triple-A Lehigh Valley during the assignment. Thomson said he didn\u2019t think Wheeler, who rejoined the Phillies in Chicago, would face significant restrictions against the Braves .\u201d<\/p>\n This is what manager Rob Thomson had to say as well:<\/p>\n \u201cI see him as kind of a six [innings], 90 [pitches] guy,\u201d Thomson said before the Phillies faced the Cubs. \u201cI think he\u2019s basically at the end of spring training.\u201d<\/p>\n Sounds like Zack Wheeler won\u2019t miss a beat in the rotation.<\/p>\n More MLB on Heavy: New York Mets Announce Starting Pitcher Changes During Twins Series<\/a><\/p>\n Zack Wheeler with the Phillies<\/p>\n With the Phillies, Zack Wheeler has been arguably the best pitcher in MLB.<\/p>\n In 24 starts in 2025, Wheeler boasted a 2.71 ERA with 195 strikeouts.<\/p>\n Since signing with the Phillies, he\u2019s made 157 starts and has a 2.91 ERA with the club. He\u2019s come of so close to winning the NL Cy Young multiple times, but perhaps what\u2019s more impressive is his ability to start every fifth day.<\/p>\n In 200 innings flat in 2024, Wheeler finished second in Cy Young voting after posting an ERA of 2.57 and 224 strikeouts.<\/p>\n Now, the Phillies are at full strength in their rotation. Wheeler will join Christopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola<\/a>, and Andrew Painter<\/a> in the rotation, which likely means Taijuan Walker<\/a> will depart from the starting staff.<\/p>\n
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