Phillies

Zack Wheeler Not Expected to be Ready for Opening Day

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Feb 9th, 2026 · 4:56 PM EST

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Per Bob Nightengale and the beats:

Zack Wheeler likely won’t be ready for opening day, but they’re hopeful he’ll back shortly after, Phillies manager Rob Thomson says.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 9, 2026

Also, Rob Thomson reiterated he doesn’t expect Zack Wheeler to be ready by opening day but said he “doesn't think he'll be too far behind that.” Dave Dombrowski said #Phillies are still looking for pitching depth and expect the trade/FA markets to be active into spring training.

— Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) February 9, 2026

There was never any kind of timeline put on Wheeler’s recovery from venous thoracic outlet syndrome. He was diagnosed on August 23rd and ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 season.

By the time opening day rolls around, seven months will have passed. If he’s not “too far behind that,” then maybe April is when he returns. Even May would be pretty solid.

As much as the injury news sucked last year, the Phillies’ rotation really held it together, throwing some great games down the stretch and into the postseason. It was the bullpen and the bats that came up short in the NLDS.

Same thing this season, hopefully. You feel good about Cristopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo going out there with Wheeler on the mend. We’ll see what Aaron Nola does in the WBC and how he starts for the Phils while keeping an eye on Andrew Painter.