Phillies ace Zack Wheeler set for Saturday debut in return from rib removal, thoracic outlet surgery

Zack Wheeler was a Cy Young candidate when his 2025 season was cut short in August due to a blood clot near his right shoulder.

Now, eight months later and one rib down, Wheeler is slated to make his return to the mound. The Phillies announced Tuesday that Wheeler is scheduled to make his 2026 debut in a start on Saturday against the first-place Atlanta Braves.

Wheeler has made five rehab starts since undergoing and recovering from thoracic outlet surgery in September. Phillies manager Rob Thomson likened Wheeler’s status as though he were at the end of spring training . Thomson told reporters Tuesday that he expects Wheeler to be limited to six innings and 90 pitches against the Braves.

“The fastball velocity's gone up. It's not where it's gonna be, I don't believe,” Thomson said, per MLB.com. “The command has been some days good, some days not as good. But I'm expecting on a normal day, weather-wise, that he's gonna have his command.

“He's really spun the ball well during all of his outings, so I feel good about him.”

Zack Wheeler, seen here before and April 16 rehab start, is schedule to make his 2026 debut on Saturday.

(NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Doctors discovered a blood clot near Wheeler’s shoulder, and he underwent a thrombolysis procedure to have it removed on Aug. 18. He was then diagnosed with veinous thoracic outlet syndrome and underwent season-ending thoracic outlet surgery in September.