Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler struck out nine batters over 5 2/3 innings during his fourth rehabilitation start with Double-A Reading, according to an April 14 update. Wheeler faced the Somerset team in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey, and struck out five of the first six batters, including all three in the second inning. Notably, Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe, who was also on a rehab assignment, struck out twice against Wheeler.
The progress of Wheeler’s recovery is significant for the Phillies as they look ahead to his potential return to Major League Baseball action. Manager Rob Thomson said after the game that “he was 92-95 [mph], so he touched 95. That was good. He said he felt good after the outing. Somebody asked him if he started to run out of gas and he said, ‘No, I felt good’ — even at the end. So, all in all, a good outing.”
Wheeler allowed a two-out double in the sixth inning to George Lombard Jr., which led to his first run allowed during this appearance. After leaving with two outs and two runners on base following his 72nd pitch, reliever Luke Russo gave up a three-run home run that affected Wheeler’s final line: three runs allowed over nearly six innings with no walks.
Thomson said that Wheeler is expected to make another rehab start on Sunday with Reading and could have time for one more before rejoining Philadelphia’s rotation: “He still has time for one more after that.” Pitchers are permitted up to thirty days of minor league rehabilitation assignments; however Thomson indicated a sixth outing may not be necessary unless needed based on performance or pitch count: “because [Wheeler’s] pitch count should be where we want it,” though it remains dependent on how Wheeler feels about his pitching.
If all goes as planned and depending on how he feels following his next appearance, Wheeler could return to make his season debut for Philadelphia as soon as next weekend against Atlanta.
The Philadelphia Phillies serve Philadelphia and wider audiences as a charter member of Major League Baseball’s National League according to their official website. The team plays home games at Citizens Bank Park since 2004 and is overseen by executives including its chief executive officer and general manager according to their official website. The club engages fans through games and community outreach initiatives according to their official website.
Historically, the franchise won World Series titles in both 1980 and 2008 according to their official website.
