Zack Wheeler tossed three scoreless innings in first rehab start with Lehigh Valley

Zack Wheeler tossed three scoreless innings for Triple-A Lehigh Valley against Toledo. He struck out three, walked one, and allowed two hits on 38 pitches.

The four-seam fastball averaged 93.3 mph and touched 94.3 at the top. That velocity is down from his usual mid-to-upper 90s but it is not far off from where he typically sits in his first Spring Training starts in a normal year.

Zack Wheeler had thoracic outlet decompression surgery on September 23rd and has been working his way back ever since.

The IronPigs celebrated the occasion with a Rehab Ribs Night promotion, a nod to the rib Wheeler had removed during the procedure. Minor league baseball, baby.

Zack Wheeler on the Rehab Ribs promotion:

Zack Wheeler's thoughts on the Rehab Ribs promotion#ironpigs #phillies #zackwheeler@PHLBaseballNews pic.twitter.com/wUKAz1pIYl

— Lehigh Valley IronPigs (@IronPigs) March 28, 2026

Zack Wheeler Rehab Start: 3.0 IP | 2 H | 0 ER | 1 BB | 3 K | 38 P

Zack Wheeler struck out the side in the first inning of today’s rehab start 👀#Phillies
pic.twitter.com/04sAxz3L2K

— Milb Central (@milb_central) March 28, 2026

Zack Wheeler is getting the minor league experience with these jerseys 🤣 pic.twitter.com/K0fQNiqPDe

— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) March 28, 2026

The initial post-surgery timetable was six to eight months, which puts the window right around now. Wheeler previously threw two simulated innings against minor leaguers in Clearwater before the Phillies broke camp.

Saturday was his first time facing live professional hitters and he handled it without issue. Seven swings and misses in three innings is not a guy who is just going through the motions.

The next start comes Friday for Lehigh Valley in Durham. After that he is expected to make a third rehab start for Double-A Reading the following week.

An April return remains the target and the Phillies are confident based on everything they have seen that Wheeler will not only be ready on schedule but will be his usual ace-caliber self when he gets there.

Orion Kerkering also made an appearance, throwing a 1-2-3 fourth inning on just ten pitches. Kerkering, who missed most of spring training with a strained right hamstring, could be back with the big club as early as April 7th.

The rotation is already elite without Wheeler. When he gets back it becomes something else entirely.

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