Phillies Updates: Zack Wheeler rehab assignment, starting rotation and Opening Day lineup

The Phillies flew home from Tampa on Monday night with two important pieces of clarity heading into Thursday’s Opening Day against the Texas Rangers.

Zack Wheeler will begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday against the Toledo Mud Hens, first pitch at 4:35 PM.

He is scheduled to throw three innings. Wheeler threw a simulated game on Monday against minor league hitters, went 29 pitches, and reported zero issues.

Pitchers can spend up to 30 days on a minor league rehab assignment and the clock starts Saturday. Barring any setbacks, his rehab window would close during the final week of April.

Phillies expect Zack Wheeler to join the rotation in April

Phillies Ace Zack Wheeler says he feels good and is on track after throwing a simulated game this morning in Clearwater. Zack will be heading to Philly with the team and get some more work and hopefully he will join the rotation in April. He would like to gain the 10 pounds back… pic.twitter.com/0n6cn5LE1i

— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) March 23, 2026

The Phillies could bring him back sooner if he is ready. Wheeler had surgery in September to address thoracic outlet syndrome and the organization has been methodical about every step of his return. Saturday is the next one.

On the lineup, Rob Thomson went with what looked like his Opening Day order in the spring finale. Trea Turner leading off. Kyle Schwarber second. Bryce Harper third. Alec Bohm fourth. Bryson Stott fifth. Adolis Garcia sixth. Brandon Marsh seventh. JT Realmuto eighth. Justin Crawford ninth.

Phillies officially set 26-man Opening Day roster >>

Thomson said Thursday’s lineup against Nathan Eovaldi will look pretty close to that. There has been speculation all winter about flipping Harper and Schwarber to second and third but Thomson pointed to last year’s success with the current order and left the door open to adjustments without committing to anything specific.

Topper said he spoke to all his hitters about where they are hitting and they all have preferences. The results will dictate whether anything changes.

Jesus Luzardo, who starts the third game of the season Sunday, finished a strong spring by pitching into the sixth inning Monday. He threw 88 pitches, allowed two runs, struck out six, and walked two.

The Spring as a whole was 10-17-2 which is irrelevant. What matters is the Phillies stayed healthy and two rookies in Justin Crawford and Andrew Painter earned spots on the Opening Day roster. They will be trading in their spring training football numbers on Thursday. Painter goes to 24. Crawford to 2.

Cristopher Sanchez officially named Phillies’ Opening Day Starter, Topper sets rotation moving forward >>

Three days until the real thing starts.

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