Zack Wheeler Fantasy Stats

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler's start to the 2026 season was delayed by the shoulder injury that ended his 2025 campaign. Since making his return on April 25, Wheeler has recorded a 2-0 record with a 2.55 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 22 strikeouts across 24 2/3 innings (four starts). By the top line numbers, the 35-year-old has mostly looked like his vintage self. However, there are a few minor red flags in Wheeler's profile. For one, his average fastball velocity currently sits at 94.9 miles per hour, down from 96 mph in 2025. Wheeler's 23.2% strikeout rate is also way down from his 33.3% rate in 2025 and would be his worst mark since the shortened 2020 season. Given Wheeler's extended track record as one of the best pitchers in baseball, he deserves the benefit of the doubt and could simply be rounding into form after a long injury layoff. Still, fantasy managers may want to prepare for potential regression from Wheeler.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (shoulder) is set to be reinstated from the 15-day Injured List on Saturday. The right-hander will make his season debut against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday. Wheeler has fully recovered from surgery to address venous thoracic outlet syndrome. He made his final rehab start with Double-A Reading, allowing four runs across four innings of work. The right-hander was able to throw a handful of rehab starts, so he figures to have a normal workload in his debut. Fantasy managers should double-check the waiver wire and make sure Wheeler isn't sitting around.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (shoulder) took the mound for his second rehab start with Double-A Reading on Sunday. Wheeler didn't have the same success as he did during his first rehab start on Tuesday. On Sunday, Wheeler went four innings, allowing four earned runs on six hits while striking out four batters. The overall results don't matter much, as it's about building up Wheeler's stamina. The expectation is that Wheeler will make at least one more rehab start before rejoining the Phillies rotation. If everything goes well, Wheeler could return for next weekend's series against the Atlanta Braves.

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler (shoulder) is nearing his 2026 season debut. The 35-year-old three-time All-Star allowed three earned runs on four hits while walking none and striking out nine in 5 2/3 innings for Double-A Reading on Tuesday. It was Wheeler's fourth rehab start already, and he got up to 95 mph on Tuesday after sitting in the low-90s his last time out. It's an encouraging sign that Wheeler is getting closer to returning from surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome last year. He plans to make another start for Reading on Sunday, which could be his last before the Phillies activate him from the 15-day injured list to rejoin the big-league starting rotation. Wheeler was an All-Star in both 2024 and 2025, and he has 200-plus strikeouts in three of the last five years with the Phillies. Although he's much riskier in 2026 coming off surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, he absolutely should be stashed in all formats with the hope that he can return to his pre-injury ace form.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (shoulder) threw 61 pitches over 4 1/3 innings in his rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday, allowing three hits, one earned run, and one walk while striking out six. The 35-year-old is expected to make one more rehab appearance at Triple-A before rejoining the Phillies, putting him on track to make his 2026 debut at some point in the next couple of weeks. Wheeler is working his way back from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, which ended his 2025 campaign in August. The hard-throwing righty was his usual dominant self before getting hurt, pitching to a 2.71 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with 195 strikeouts and 10 wins across 149 2/3 innings (24 starts). Even coming off a serious injury, Wheeler projects as a high-end fantasy starting pitcher and should immediately be plugged into starting lineups upon his return to the big-league mound.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (shoulder) is slated to make two more minor-league rehab starts, according to Phillies manager Rob Thompson. The plan is for Wheeler to start on Wednesday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley and make another start after that. The veteran right-hander is currently working his way back from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. He was hit around for five runs during his second rehab start on Friday. The overall results don't matter as much as Wheeler building up his stamina. Barring any setbacks, Wheeler should be able to rejoin the Phillies rotation in late April. Fantasy managers better make sure to stash Wheeler on their IL if he's available in your league.

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler (shoulder) was hit hard in his minor-league rehab start on Friday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, allowing five earned runs on four hits (one home run) while walking two and striking out only one in three innings pitched. Wheeler looked much better in his first rehab start last Saturday, in which he struck out three in three scoreless innings. The 35-year-old veteran threw 26 of his 49 pitches for strikes on Friday night, with his fastball averaging 92.7 mph. It wasn't the best Wheeler has looked, but the main takeaway for the Phillies and fantasy managers is that Wheeler didn't have a setback. He will likely need another rehab start, but he remains on track to make his 2026 season debut in April. The three-time All-Star had surgery last year for thoracic outlet syndrome, but he has progressed nicely in his rehab this spring and should be stashed in all fantasy formats. There's more risk than ever, but Wheeler could be a difference-maker as a potential fantasy ace if he can return to his pre-injury levels.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (shoulder) will make his second start of his rehab assignment on Friday in Durham, and is expected to throw about four innings or 50 to 55 pitches total. While that was expected, his third start was originally scheduled to be in Reading, but that has now been changed to next week with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. Whether or not he'll get a fourth rehab start is still up in the air. Wheeler has been working his way back from thoracic outlet decompression surgery he had last September. The right-hander was his usual dominant self in 2025 before the surgery, posting a 2.71 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and a 27.7 percent K-BB% in 24 starts. Hopefully the 35-year-old can return to form, and assuming he can, the three-time All-Star should continue to be stashed in all fantasy leagues.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (shoulder) looked solid on the mound during his first minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday. The right-hander tossed three innings, allowing two hits, one walk, and striking out three batters. The plan was for Wheeler to throw 45 pitches, but he only needed 38 to get through three innings. Now, the next step is for Wheeler to make another rehab start against Triple-A Durham. After that, Wheeler will make a start at Double-A Reading. The 35-year-old is currently working his way back after undergoing surgery in September. The timetable for Wheeler's return isn't clear, but his season debut should be sometime in April. Wheeler should be stashed in all fantasy formats.

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler (shoulder) will make his first minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday. Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports that Wheeler will make another rehab outing on Friday against Triple-A Durham, then another one at Double-A Reading. It's possible that Wheeler would make a fourth rehab outing after that, but it's not set in stone. Wheeler is scheduled to throw three innings and/or 50 pitches in his start on Saturday for the Iron Pigs. It's the first game action for the 35-year-old veteran since he underwent surgery for venous thoracic outlet syndrome in September. It's a unique surgery to come back from, which makes Wheeler more risky as a fantasy commodity in 2026, but all reports on his rehab have been very positive this spring. Before his injury in 2025, Wheeler was operating as a fantasy ace once again. Even though he carries more risk, Wheeler should be stashed in all formats, and he could make his season debut in April.