As the Philadelphia Phillies commenced their season with Opening Day festivities at Citizens Bank Park, the focus was not solely on the players taking the field. Two key members of the pitching staff, sidelined as they recover from respective injuries, made their presence felt, offering encouraging signs for the club’s near future. Zack Wheeler and Orion Kerkering, though not on the active roster, were in attendance, each taking significant steps toward rejoining the major league squad.
For Wheeler, the ace of the rotation, his return to the ballpark served as a checkpoint in a recovery that has been progressing more swiftly than anticipated. The right-hander, who underwent surgery in late September to address venous thoracic outlet syndrome, utilized the day to throw a bullpen session. This workout came just two days before a more substantial test: a rehab assignment with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, scheduled for Saturday. The expectation for that outing is modest but structured, with Wheeler slated to throw roughly three innings or aim for a pitch count near 50. This assignment is not merely about getting outs but about building the foundational stamina required to face major league hitters.
This rehab start triggers a procedural clock for the Phillies organization. Following Wheeler’s appearance on Saturday, the team has a 30-day window to activate him from the injured list. The final day of that window falls on April 27, a scheduled off-day for the Phillies. Given that timing, it is reasonable to project Wheeler’s season debut for the third or fourth week of April. This target aligns with a pivotal juncture in the team’s schedule. Following a road trip through Chicago and Atlanta, the Phillies’ calendar becomes congested. Beginning April 28, they are slated to play 22 games in just 23 days, a grueling stretch that will test the depth of the entire pitching staff. Wheeler’s return during that period could provide a significant boost, and the team may consider implementing a six-man rotation temporarily. Such a strategy would serve a dual purpose: it would allow Wheeler to ease back into the rigors of a big-league workload while also managing the innings of rookie Andrew Painter, who set a career high in innings pitched during the 2025 season and whose long-term development remains a priority.
Wheeler’s current trajectory is notably ahead of the initial projections made when he underwent surgery. Early in spring training, the expectation was that he might not be ready until May. However, Wheeler has consistently been ahead of schedule, a fact he addressed after his first bullpen session in late February. When asked whether there was any strategic reason to be cautious and slow-play his return, he dismissed the notion of holding back. He expressed confidence in his durability, noting that he typically has no issues with workload by the time October arrives, implying that he sees no reason to deviate from his standard preparation for the season. His recovery from the thoracic outlet procedure, which was performed to correct circulatory issues in his throwing arm, has been remarkably smooth, and his presence at the ballpark on Opening Day underscored his eagerness to get back on the mound.
While Wheeler’s return will impact the starting rotation, the other injured pitcher present on Thursday will provide a crucial reinforcement for the bullpen. Orion Kerkering, the 25-year-old right-handed reliever, also made the trip north from the team’s spring training facility in Clearwater. Kerkering is currently on the injured list due to a right hamstring strain, but his timeline for return is shorter than Wheeler’s. Like Wheeler, he is slated to pitch in Saturday’s game for Lehigh Valley, where he will throw one inning as part of his rehabilitation.
The plan for Kerkering’s return is methodical, designed to mirror the standard buildup process of spring training. Manager Rob Thomson outlined the approach, noting that the team will gradually increase Kerkering’s workload. This process will include having him pitch on back-to-back days at some point during his rehab assignment. As the IronPigs travel to Durham, Kerkering will accompany the team and continue his outings. By the time his rehab is complete, the expectation is that he will have accumulated seven or eight appearances. This volume is considered consistent with the typical number of outings other relievers had during spring training, ensuring that Kerkering is not only physically healed but also fully prepared for the intensity of regular-season competition.
Kerkering’s eventual activation, which could come as soon as he is first eligible on April 10, will force a consequential decision regarding the composition of the bullpen. His absence initially created an opportunity for one of the final relievers to secure an Opening Day roster spot. The trio of left-handers Kyle Backhus and Tim Mayza, along with righty Zach Pop, were the last pitchers to make the team. When Kerkering is ready to return, one of these three will likely be removed from the active roster. The logistics of that move vary significantly among the candidates. Backhus retains a minor-league option, meaning he can be sent down to Triple-A without being exposed to other teams. This flexibility is often valued by front offices, as it allows for fluid roster management throughout the season. In contrast, Mayza and Pop do not have any options remaining. If the team decides to remove either of them from the major league roster, they would first have to be designated for assignment, making them available to the other 29 teams. This structural nuance could influence the final decision, though it is worth noting that Backhus’s optionable status is not necessarily a disadvantage for him; teams often prefer to keep a reliever with options in the bullpen to maintain maximum flexibility when navigating the inevitable injuries and fatigue of a long season.
For both Backhus and fellow reliever Jonathan Bowlan, this season marked a significant personal milestone, as they were part of the Opening Day roster for the first time in their careers. Their presence underscored the depth the organization has cultivated, a depth that is now being called upon to fill the gaps left by injured veterans.
As the Phillies look ahead, the progress of Wheeler and Kerkering represents two converging timelines. One is a carefully managed rehabilitation of a frontline starter, whose return is expected to fortify a rotation during the season’s most demanding stretch. The other is a shorter-term recovery of a high-leverage reliever whose return will solidify the back end of the bullpen. Both players were present at the start of the journey on Opening Day, and their anticipated returns in the coming weeks will add critical pieces to a team looking to build momentum through the early part of the schedule. The organization’s handling of their rehab assignments, from the specific pitch counts to the strategic considerations of roster management, reflects a calculated approach aimed at ensuring these pitchers are not only back on the field as soon as possible but also positioned to contribute effectively over the entirety of the long season ahead.
