Phillies Ace Wheeler Continues Rehab, Remains on Track for April Return

Despite a rocky outing, the three-time All-Star is still expected to rejoin the Phillies' rotation this month.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 2:53am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's windup and delivery, with sharp planes of muted earth tones capturing the raw athleticism of the sport.A Phillies pitcher's mechanics deconstructed into a cubist masterpiece, reflecting the team's hope that their ace can return to dominant form.Philadelphia Today

Zack Wheeler, the Phillies' ace right-hander, made his second rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday night. While he wasn't as sharp as his previous outing, allowing five runs over three innings, the team remains confident he is on track to return to the major league roster at some point in April.

Why it matters

Wheeler's return is crucial for the Phillies, who are looking to build on their 2025 playoff appearance. As one of the NL's top pitchers, his presence in the rotation will provide a major boost as the team aims to contend in the highly competitive NL East division.

The details

Wheeler struggled with his command in the third inning, walking two batters and giving up a three-run homer. His fastball velocity was also down slightly from his previous rehab start, averaging 92.7 mph compared to 93.3 mph. Despite the rocky outing, the Phillies still expect Wheeler to make another rehab start for Lehigh Valley next week before potentially rejoining the major league club.

  • On April 4, 2026, Wheeler made his second rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
  • Wheeler is expected to make another rehab start for Lehigh Valley next week, with a potential return to the Phillies' rotation coming shortly after.

The players

Zack Wheeler

A three-time MLB All-Star pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies who is currently rehabbing from an injury.

Raynel Delgado

An outfielder for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Phillies' minor league affiliate.

Óscar Mercado

An outfielder for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

Pedro León

An outfielder for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

Jacob Melton

A hitter for the Triple-A Durham Bulls, who hit a three-run homer off Wheeler.

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What’s next

Wheeler is expected to make another rehab start for Lehigh Valley next week, and could rejoin the Phillies' rotation shortly after that outing.

The takeaway

Despite a shaky second rehab start, the Phillies remain confident that their ace Zack Wheeler is on schedule to return to the major league roster in April, which will provide a significant boost to their starting rotation as they aim to build on last season's playoff appearance.