Wheeler is coming back from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and a blood clot in his right shoulder that sidelined him late in the 2025 season and cost the Phillies a playoff run. The timeline outlined by reporters suggests Wheeler could be back in time for the Braves series, with Walker’s rotation spot up for grabs again in Chicago on Wednesday.
AJ Eustance noted that Wheeler has continued to pitch well in rehab and that the club has not planned to bring him back too early. The 35-year-old has been widely regarded as an ace when healthy, following a 2025 season in which he posted a 2.71 ERA over 149.2 innings with 195 strikeouts, and a 2024 campaign of 2.57 ERA across 200 innings with 224 strikeouts.
The Phillies have started 2026 slowly, opening 8-12 after dropping the first two games of this weekend’s series with the Atlanta Braves. While Christopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo have been solid, Walker has been a clear issue, with an ERA well over 9.00 through 18.2 innings and 19 earned runs allowed, including six home runs.
With Wheeler’s return looming, Walker’s spot in the rotation appears endangered, and management will have to decide how to best deploy him given his four-year, $72 million contract. The club will likely slot Wheeler back into the rotation and evaluate how to utilize Walker going forward.
Overall, Wheeler’s return is viewed as a critical step toward stabilizing a shaky start to the season for the Phillies, providing a much-needed upgrade to the rotation and a clearer path for the team to regain momentum.
