Zack Wheeler's Velocity Is Dropping and the Phillies Are Running Out of Time

The Philadelphia Phillies are counting down to getting Zack Wheeler back. The 35-year-old ace just wrapped his fifth rehab outing with Double-A Reading, and the team is eyeing his return by the end of the week. But there's a problem brewing underneath all this optimism, and it could complicate his road back to the rotation.

Wheeler Crossed the Finish Line, But Not Without Concerns

Wheeler threw 77 pitches over 4.0 innings against the Double-A Yankees, giving up four earned runs while striking out four. It was supposed to be his final minor-league tune-up before rejoining the Phillies. After missing the entire postseason last year and the start of this season following right shoulder surgery in September, the Phillies desperately need him back. The team has had a tough start to 2026, and Wheeler's presence in the rotation could be the difference.

Wheeler himself wasn't thrilled with how things went. "I wish it could've been a little better. Just all-around weather and performance, but it is what it is," he said. "I just tried to get through it healthy, and I did that, so I'm just glad to wrap up the whole rehab process and just move forward."

The Fastball Velocity Issue That Could Derail Everything

Here's where it gets sticky. Wheeler noticed his fastball velocity dropped noticeably during Sunday's outing, sitting in the low 90s compared to the 93-94 mph he was regularly hitting on Tuesday. The cooler weather played a role, but that doesn't change what Wheeler has to adjust to right now.

"I'm a high-90s guy, mid-90s guy, and it's not there right now," Wheeler said. "You kind of have to pitch a little bit more when that happens. You've got to move the ball around, and you've got to hit your spots. You've got to fool guys a little bit more than kind of just rearing back and throwing."

Wheeler is a three-time All-Star who posted a 10-5 record with a 2.71 ERA and 195 strikeouts across 149.2 innings last year. He's one of the most durable and effective starters in baseball over the past decade. But if that velocity stays down when he takes the mound in a real game, the Phillies offense is going to have to work harder for him.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.