Phillies’ Zack Wheeler to start rehab assignment at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, nears return from TOS

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Bryce Harper sat beside some coaches on the first-base side of Robin Roberts Field, decked out in full Phillies uniform at the minor-league Carpenter Complex. By the time the action wrapped up, it was just about a half hour away from the first pitch of Philadelphia’s final Grapefruit League exhibition of the spring on Monday. But Harper, who batted third and started at first base, didn’t want to miss the crucial development that took place behind the scenes.

Harper, along with several teammates and multiple key figures in the Phillies organization, gathered to watch Zack Wheeler throw a two-inning simulated game, his first since he was sidelined due to thoracic outlet syndrome last summer. He threw 29 pitches, 20 for strikes (which were called by catcher Jordan Dissin in the absence of an umpire), and faced eight batters since he did not quite reach his intended pitch count through six outs.

Wheeler felt like he should have and looked a lot like himself. The sim game was a nice milestone to reach by the end of spring training.

“We kind of mapped it out, and this was part of the plan,” Wheeler said. “It’s good just to check that box and kind of have no setbacks as we move through camp to be able to get to this point.”

The next stop: back home in Philly, where he will receive a warm reception during Thursday’s Opening Day introductions at Citizens Bank Park. But on Saturday, Wheeler will take another step toward his return. He’ll head to the Lehigh Valley to make a three-inning rehab start with the Triple-A IronPigs on Saturday afternoon at Coca-Cola Park.

Wheeler, who underwent thoracic outlet decompression surgery in September, is making fast progress. He said he tried to throw hard in his second inning of work on Monday; Phillies manager Rob Thomson said he was around 94 mph with his fastball.

He still has some things to tune up. He’s getting the feel for his curveball back. The veteran ace is down about 10 pounds from his usual pitching weight, though he believes he’ll be able to gain it back over time.

But Wheeler’s return is coming sooner than later. He estimated that he needs about “four-ish” more starts to prepare for his season. And once he’s officially activated for his minor-league appearance on Saturday, he can only remain on the rehab assignment for a maximum of 30 days.

That means the latest Wheeler could return is April 28 against the Giants, as the Phillies have a day off on April 27. Of course, he could certainly come back earlier if everything continues to go smoothly.

Camp notes

• In the same simulated game, reliever Orion Kerkering (hamstring) threw a clean inning. Thomson was pleased to see the right-hander throw his splitter, a pitch he’s looking to add to the arsenal. Kerkering will start the regular season on the injured list, but he will fly to Philadelphia for Opening Day introductions. He’ll throw in another minor-league game at the Carpenter Complex before that on Wednesday.
• Pitcher Daniel Robert was further evaluated Monday after being released from the hospital on Sunday following a cardiac event he suffered on the mound that morning. He’s feeling fine, according to Thomson. He’ll be shut down from activity for a while, but it is expected as of now that he will later be cleared to return to pitching. It’s a positive update after an incredibly scary scene the day prior.