Phillies' Zack Wheeler to Make Another Minor League Start Amid Rehab

The veteran pitcher will take the mound for the Double-A Reading Phillies next week as he continues his comeback from a shoulder procedure.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 11:43am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's windup and delivery broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange, conveying the dynamic motion and energy of the sport.A cubist interpretation of a pitcher's motion captures the complex movements and energy of a baseball player in rehabilitation.Somerset Today

Philadelphia Phillies star pitcher Zack Wheeler will make at least one more minor league appearance as he works his way back from a procedure to remove a blood clot in his right shoulder. Wheeler, who has been out since the latter half of the 2025 season, will pitch for the Double-A Reading Phillies next week in Somerset, New Jersey, as he aims to regain his 2025 form when he posted a 10-5 record with a 2.71 ERA.

Why it matters

The Phillies have struggled with their pitching rotation in Wheeler's absence, and his return could provide a major boost as the team looks to get back on track after dropping three straight games. Wheeler's rehab progress will be closely watched as the Phillies hope to have their star ace back on the mound in the majors soon.

The details

In his third start with the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, Wheeler went 4.1 innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out six batters. The 35-year-old right-hander will now take the next step in his rehab by pitching for the Double-A Reading Phillies next week in Somerset, New Jersey. It's unclear if that will be Wheeler's final minor league outing before rejoining the Phillies, but the team will continue to monitor his progress.

  • Wheeler began throwing again during spring training after undergoing a procedure to remove a blood clot in his right shoulder in the latter half of the 2025 season.
  • Wheeler made his third start with the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs on April 10, 2026.
  • Wheeler will pitch for the Double-A Reading Phillies next Tuesday, April 16, 2026.

The players

Zack Wheeler

A 35-year-old starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies who has been out since the latter half of the 2025 season following a procedure to remove a blood clot in his right shoulder.

Jesus Luzardo

A consistent force in the Phillies' starting rotation who struggled in his most recent outing, allowing five runs in the fifth inning.

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What they’re saying

“Zack Wheeler will pitch at least one more time in minors, Tuesday for Double-A Reading at Somerset, N.J. He might do one more for Reading, or rejoin the Phillies. Remains to be seen.”

— Matt Gelb, Reporter

What’s next

It's not known if Wheeler's outing with the Reading Phillies will be his final minor league appearance before rejoining the major league club. The Phillies will continue to monitor his progress and determine the best timeline for his return to the big-league rotation.

The takeaway

Wheeler's return to the Phillies' rotation could provide a much-needed boost as the team looks to turn things around after a recent slump. His rehab progress will be closely watched, and the Phillies will aim to have their star pitcher back on the mound as soon as he's ready to contribute at the major league level.