Zack Wheeler's Velocity Just Dropped to Low 90s and the Phillies Are Running Out of Time

The Philadelphia Phillies are hoping Zack Wheeler will be back in their rotation by the end of this week. That's the good news. The bad news? The three-time All-Star just saw his fastball velocity take a nosedive, and he knows it's a problem.

Wheeler, 35, wrapped up what's likely his final rehab outing with Double-A Reading on Sunday, throwing 77 pitches over 4.0 innings. He gave up four earned runs and struck out four while battling cooler weather conditions. The ace has been working his way back from right shoulder surgery he underwent in September after being diagnosed with venous thoracic outlet syndrome last August.

The Velocity Issue Nobody Wants to See Right Now

Here's the thing that has to worry Philly fans: Wheeler's fastball used to sit at 93-94 mph on Tuesday. By Sunday, in the cooler weather, it dropped to the low 90s. That's a real difference when you're a guy who lives at high-90s and mid-90s velocity.

"I'm a high-90s guy, mid-90s guy, and it's not there right now," Wheeler said. The adjustment he'll need to make won't be easy. "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."

Weather played a role in Sunday's outing, but the Phillies needed to see better velocity as Wheeler closes in on his return. This is a guy who logged 149.2 innings over 24 starts last year with a 10-5 record, 2.71 ERA, and 195 strikeouts. Missing him hurt, especially down the stretch.

Ready to Move Forward, But Questions Remain

Wheeler said he'll let the team announce his exact return date, but he's clearly eager to get back. "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," he said after Sunday's outing.

The Phillies sorely missed their ace in the postseason last year and have dealt with a tough start to 2026. They need Wheeler back healthy and effective, but this velocity dip is something the team will have to monitor closely as he ramps up for his first appearance back on the MLB roster.

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