
Leicester's fall from grace: From Premier League champions to relegation to League One
Leicester City faces relegation to League One after a tumultuous season.
Zack Wheeler is set to make his 2026 debut for the Phillies on Saturday after recovering from thoracic outlet surgery. He will face the Atlanta Braves and is expected to be limited to six innings and 90 pitches.
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 Wheelerâs 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.
âThe fastball velocity's gone up. It's not where it's gonna be, I don't believe,â Thomson said, per MLB.com. âThe 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.
âHe's really spun the ball well during all of his outings, so I feel good about him.â
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 Wheelerâs 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.
Zack Wheeler underwent thoracic outlet surgery, which involved the removal of a rib.
Zack Wheeler's first game back is scheduled for Saturday against the Atlanta Braves.
Zack Wheeler made five rehab starts since his surgery before returning to the mound.

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Per the Mayo Clinic, thoracic outlet syndrome occurs when nerves or blood vessels in the thoracic outlet (the area between the neck and shoulder) become compressed. This can cause shoulder and neck pain and numbness in the fingers. In the case of veinous or arterial thoracic outlet syndrome, it can also cause a blood clot, which Wheeler experienced.
Wheeler had the top rib on his right side removed during his surgery to relieve pressure on the area. He was in good spirits about his recovery in spring training and even laughed about keeping the rib as a memento in his house.
Now heâs ready to return to the mound for an 8-14 Phillies team that needs a boost.
Wheeler, 35, made his third career All-Star team last season and was in the midst of a standout campaign before it ended early. In 149 2/3 innings pitched, Wheeler posted a 2.71 ERA and 0.935 WHIP with 195 strikeouts and 33 walks for a Phillies team that went on to win the NL East.
The Phillies are off to a slow start in their quest for a third straight division title and are certainly hoping Wheeler can help get them back on track.