Overview
- Wheeler, who pitched Saturday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, worked three scoreless innings on 38 pitches with three strikeouts, one walk and two hits allowed.
- His fastball averaged about 93.3 mph and topped near 94.3, which the team says matches his usual early spring build-up.
- The plan calls for another IronPigs start Friday in Durham, then a Double-A Reading outing, with a target of four innings and 50 to 55 pitches next time out.
- Manager Rob Thomson said he is very confident in Wheeler’s progress, citing normal command and velocity for this stage and noting an April return remains the goal pending continued clearance.
- Wheeler had venous thoracic outlet decompression in September 2025 to relieve a blood clot by removing a rib, and his return would reshape a Phillies rotation currently led by Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo, Taijuan Walker and Andrew Painter.