Wheeler to make season debut Saturday vs. Braves

Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler will make his season debut Saturday against the Atlanta Braves, according to Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic.

Wheeler hasn't pitched in the majors since August. The three-time All-Star was originally sidelined following the removal a blood clot in his right arm, but follow-up exams revealed that he needed another surgery and would miss extended time. He then underwent shoulder surgery for venous thoracic outlet syndrome, which carried a recovery timetable of six-to-eight months.

Wheeler posted a 5.85 ERA with 1.20 WHIP and 10.4 K/9 over 20 innings during his rehab starts in Double-A and Triple-A this season.

The 35-year-old authored a 2.71 ERA with 0.94 WHIP and 195 strikeouts over 149 2/3 innings (24 starts) last year. He's finished as the NL Cy Young runner-up in 2024 and 2021.