Injury updates: Gabriel Rincones Jr. dealing with knee soreness

Phillies Injury Updates

• OF Gabriel Rincones Jr. (knee soreness)
• Status: Grapefruit League debut likely delayed
• Phillies outfield prospect Gabriel Rincones Jr. is dealing with soreness in both knees, particularly the left knee. He is cleared to swing and throw, but Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Rincones likely won’t play in Grapefruit League games until the middle of the schedule. Rincones, who slugged 18 home runs for Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2025, is a depth piece for a Phillies team that is thin on outfielders. — Last updated on Feb. 12 by Destiny Lugardo

• RHP Zack Wheeler (thoracic outlet syndrome)
• Status: Will miss Opening Day
• Phillies starter Zack Wheeler underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in September. He has not pitched in a game since Aug. 15. His venous TOS diagnosis was announced on Aug. 23. Wheeler did not pitch in the 2025 postseason.
• Wheeler is cleared to play catch from up to 90 feet. The next step for Wheeler is to progress to throwing from 105 feet.
• Wheeler spoke with reporters on Wednesday for first time since August. He is not sure when he’ll pitch off the mound again. His goal is to get back as quickly as he can without rushing the process. “I’m really just trying to make sure that the arm strength is there every phase that we kind of get to and move on to the next one,” Wheeler said. — Last updated on Feb. 12 by Destiny Lugardo

• RHP Orion Kerkering (right hamstring tightness)
• Status: Not throwing off the mound
• Orion Kerkering felt some tightness in his right hamstring during his last bullpen session before the start of spring training. The Phillies don’t seem too concerned about it. They are hopeful that Kerkering is able to throw a side session on flat ground in the near future. He is still able to play catch. — Last updated on Feb. 12 by Destiny Lugardo

Non-roster invitees

• RHP Michael Mercado (right shoulder impingement) — Mercado is shut down from throwing for a week.
• RHP René Pinto (visa issues) — Pinto, who is coming over from Venezuela, has not reported to camp.
• C Mark Kolozsvary (left ACL surgery) — Kolozsvary is cleared to throw, catch and hit. He is unable to run.
• RHP Daniel Robert (cardiovascular) — Robert had a “cardiovascular event” last Fall. He will travel to Atlanta next week for a stress test.