Philadelphia Phillies Rolling With Zack Wheeler Leading The Rotation

BusinessSportsMoneyPhiladelphia Phillies Rolling With Zack Wheeler Leading The RotationByBernie Pleskoff,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Bernie Pleskoff is a former professional Major League Baseball scout Follow AuthorMay 20, 2026, 02:00am EDTPhiladelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Sunday, May 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reservedThe Philadelphia Phillies are a different team with right-hander Zack Wheeler on the mound.Following thoracic outlet decompression surgery (TOS), Wheeler, 36, returned to the Phillies rotation April 25 agains the Atlanta Braves, The return of Wheeler makes the Phillies rotation even more lethal, and gives the team one of the best starting five in the game.Having Wheeler back on the mound has certainly energized the Phillies, who are on a roll in the very competitive National League East Division.BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 12: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies fist-bumps J.T. Realmuto #10 after being taken out of a game against the Boston Red Sox during the eighth inning at Fenway Park on May 12, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)Getty ImagesPhiladelphia Phillies Zack Wheeler’s Surgeries:The thoracic outlet decompression surgery (TOS) required the removal of Wheeler’s right rib.Wheeler’s injury dates back to August 2025. At that time, Wheeler had surgery to remove a blood clot near his throwing shoulder.Following that initial surgery, Wheeler had that complex decompression surgery in late September last year.MORE FOR YOUAt the time of his initial surgery, then Phillies manager Rob Thomson to news10.com, “It’s disappointing, but everybody knows it’s out of our control.”Wheeler is 6-4, 195 pounds, making Wheeler’s surgical situations even more compelling.In a study described on doaj.com of pitc...