Zack Wheeler is set to make his long-awaited return to the mound on Saturday, giving the Philadelphia Phillies a major boost at a time when their starting rotation has been struggling badly. After months of recovery and a lengthy rehab process, the veteran right-hander is finally ready to rejoin the big-league club and make his season debut against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park.
Wheeler has been working his way back from thoracic outlet decompression surgery, which he underwent last September after doctors discovered a blood clot near his right shoulder. The procedure was significant and required the removal of his first rib, making his recovery both delicate and extended. Since then, the Phillies ace has followed a carefully structured rehab program that gradually built him back up to game readiness.
The 35-year-old pitcher, who is one of the most important figures in Philadelphia’s rotation, completed multiple rehab outings across different levels of the minor leagues. He first appeared in Triple-A Lehigh Valley before moving on to Double-A Reading, steadily increasing his pitch count and intensity with each outing. His final rehab appearance came earlier this week, signaling that he had reached the final stage of his recovery process.
Throughout spring training and his rehab assignments, Wheeler also spent time in bullpen sessions to regain his rhythm. According to Phillies manager Rob Thomson, Wheeler’s progression has resembled a normal spring training buildup, even though it came in the middle of the season rather than before it. Thomson noted that Wheeler’s fastball velocity is still climbing back toward its usual peak, but emphasized that his overall command has shown improvement, even if it has fluctuated from outing to outing.
One of the most encouraging signs for the Phillies has been Wheeler’s ability to consistently spin the ball effectively. Even when his command has not been perfect, his pitch movement and overall stuff have remained strong. The team believes that once he settles back into a regular routine, his command will stabilize as well.
For his first start back, the Phillies are planning to limit Wheeler’s workload. He is expected to pitch under a six-inning cap and will likely throw around 90 pitches as the team eases him back into full competition. While there has been no official announcement about how his return will affect the rotation order moving forward, his presence alone is expected to have an immediate positive impact.
Philadelphia has been dealing with significant pitching issues this season. The starting rotation has struggled to find consistency, and the group’s combined ERA has ranked near the bottom of Major League Baseball. Opponents have taken advantage of inconsistent command and ineffective outings, leaving the Phillies’ offense frequently playing from behind.
During one particularly difficult stretch, Phillies starters allowed a large number of runs over several games, contributing heavily to a losing streak. While left-hander Cristopher Sánchez has been a bright spot and continued to build on his strong previous season, the rest of the rotation has been inconsistent.
Jesús Luzardo has struggled with a high ERA early in the year, though some of his underlying numbers suggest he may have been affected by poor defensive support or bad luck on balls in play. Veteran pitchers like Taijuan Walker and Aaron Nola have also had difficulties, with both giving up runs at an uncharacteristic rate and failing to consistently pitch deep into games.
This combination of struggles has placed additional pressure on the bullpen and offense, creating an imbalance that has contributed to the team’s early-season slump. As a result, Wheeler’s return is viewed internally as a potential turning point. Manager Rob Thomson has stated that having Wheeler healthy makes the Phillies significantly stronger, emphasizing that when he is at his best, he is among the top pitchers in the National League.
Beyond the Phillies storyline, another game featured a major offensive outburst from the Chicago White Sox, who delivered a powerful display of hitting in a dominant win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The White Sox erupted offensively early in the game, scoring multiple runs in the first inning before launching into an even more impressive second inning. During that frame, they produced a rare sequence of consecutive home runs that energized the lineup and overwhelmed the opposing pitcher.
One of the standout performers was Munetaka Murakami, who continued his remarkable early MLB career with yet another home run. His blast traveled over 400 feet and came off the bat at elite exit velocity, further extending his impressive power surge. The home run marked Murakami’s fourth consecutive game with a homer, placing him in rare company among Japanese-born players in Major League Baseball history.
Following Murakami’s shot, the White Sox lineup continued its power display. Miguel Vargas added another home run shortly after, followed immediately by Colson Montgomery, who also launched a deep drive. The back-to-back-to-back home runs marked a rare achievement for the franchise and showcased the team’s sudden offensive rhythm.
The White Sox had been struggling offensively in previous games, but over a recent four-game stretch they exploded for double-digit home runs. This dramatic increase in production stood in stark contrast to their earlier offensive drought, where home run totals were significantly lower. Players and coaches attributed the surge to better pitch selection, improved timing, and a more aggressive approach at the plate.
Murakami, in particular, has been drawing attention across the league. In his first stretch of MLB games, he has already set records for home run production among Japanese-born players. His nine home runs in his first 23 games represent the highest total for any player from Japan at that stage of a Major League career, surpassing even Shohei Ohtani’s early marks as a hitter.
With each game, Murakami appears increasingly comfortable facing MLB pitching. He has also contributed in other ways, including multiple hits, walks, and runs scored, helping boost his overall offensive production and on-base performance.
White Sox manager Will Venable credited the team’s offensive success to a strong overall approach, noting that hitters are sticking to their game plan and capitalizing on pitches in the strike zone. He also pointed out that when the team gets into a rhythm, the offense becomes difficult to contain, with contributions coming from both veterans and younger players.
Pitching-wise, the offensive explosion provided strong support for starter Sean Burke, who had been searching for a win after a long stretch without one. Despite recent struggles in his personal record, Burke delivered a solid outing, allowing only a few runs over six innings while keeping the game under control thanks to the early offensive cushion.
The White Sox victory highlighted both the volatility and potential of their lineup, while the Phillies continue to focus on stabilizing their pitching staff with Wheeler’s return. For Philadelphia, the hope is that one of their most reliable arms can help reset a rotation that has been underperforming and bring some much-needed consistency to their season moving forward.
