Zack Wheeler’s Steady Recovery Sparks Optimism for Phillies’ 2026 Season

It’s a chilly Florida morning under gray Clearwater clouds. Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler is making a cautious but determined return to the field.

Wheeler got diagnosed with vascular thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) in August 2025. His recovery has been slow—steady, but definitely not easy.

If you want the full deep dive, check out the article on the New York Times.

The Road to Recovery

The 2025 season ended early for Wheeler after doctors found a blood clot near his right shoulder. He received a diagnosis of vascular thoracic outlet syndrome, which you don’t see as often as the neurogenic type in MLB pitchers.

Wheeler had to get rib removal surgery. That was just the start of a tough road back.

Rehabilitation Process

He spent the offseason rehabbing with Phillies head athletic trainer Paul Buchheit and the team’s medical staff. They focused mostly on regaining his range of motion and building up arm strength.

His rehab routine included:

• Range of motion exercises: Making sure his arm could move freely and, ideally, without pain.
• Strength training: Rebuilding the muscles around his shoulder and arm.
• Throwing drills: Trying to get his throwing motion in sync and his arm in the right position again.

Current Progress

Right now, Wheeler is playing catch and throwing up to 90 feet. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said the next step is 105 feet.

If everything checks out medically, Wheeler will get back on the mound after that. His shoulder strength is coming back, which feels like a good sign.

Optimism and Caution

Wheeler and the Phillies both feel optimistic about where things are headed. He wants to pitch again soon, but he’s not rushing it.

He knows there’s no sense in risking a setback, especially since he’ll miss Opening Day anyway. For now, he’s just focused on hitting each milestone he and Buchheit set, making sure his arm can handle the next thing before moving on.

Support and Motivation

Other MLB pitchers who’ve dealt with vascular TOS reached out to support Wheeler. He appreciated it, but didn’t want to get too caught up in comparing his recovery to theirs.

He’s just trying to do his own thing, at his own pace. That’s probably for the best.

Team and Fan Support

Being around his teammates and fans has helped keep him motivated. He visited Citizens Bank Park after surgery, and got a warm round of applause during player introductions in the National League Division Series.

During the offseason, he went to Eagles and 76ers games, keeping his connection to Philadelphia’s sports world alive.

Looking Ahead

Wheeler’s journey isn’t over yet. He still needs to keep building arm strength and wait for the green light to throw off a mound.

Eventually, he’ll have to face live hitters again. The goal? Get back on the mound at Citizens Bank Park and reclaim his spot as the Phillies’ ace. Here’s hoping.

Final Thoughts

Zack Wheeler’s recovery from vascular thoracic outlet syndrome really shows just how determined he is. The Phillies’ medical team has played a big part in this, too.

The road’s been tough, no question. Still, Wheeler’s progress looks promising so far.