Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Takes tough loss in Game 6
Rotowire
Wheeler pitched 5.1 innings and took the loss during Saturday's 4-1 defeat to the Astros in Game 6 of the World Series, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out five.
Wheeler was locked in Saturday night, keeping the potent Houston offense scoreless until his final inning. The 32-year-old was pulled from the game in the sixth inning after a hit-by-pitch, a groundout and a single, leaving it up to Jose Alvarado to work out of the jam. Unfortunately, Alvarado surrendered a three-run home run to Yordan Alvarez, giving the Astros a 3-1 lead and putting Wheeler in position to take his second loss of the World Series. Wheeler finished the playoffs with a 1-3 record and a 2.78 ERA across 35.2 innings in what was the first postseason of his nine-year career.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: To get extra rest, start Game 6
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Wheeler is scheduled to start Game 6 of the World Series against the Astros, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.
The Phillies watched Wheeler's velocity dip during his last outing and have elected to give their ace an extra day of rest. Philadelphia is expected to start Ranger Suarez in Game 3, Aaron Nola in Game 4 and either Noah Syndergaard or Kyle Gibson in Game 5 if all goes according to plan.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Takes loss in Game 2
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Wheeler pitched five innings and took the loss during Saturday's 5-2 defeat to the Astros in Game 2 of the World Series, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out three.
Wheeler had a rough start to Game 2, allowing three consecutive doubles in a three-run first inning. The 32-year-old was able to settle down and recorded two outs in the fifth inning before giving up a two-run blast to Alex Bregman, making the score 5-0. This was the first start of the postseason where Wheeler did not pitch six innings, and the five runs that scored while he was on the mound matched the total runs allowed in his last four starts combined. He is now 1-2 in the postseason with a 2.67 ERA across 30.1 innings. On a positive note, Wheeler threw only 69 pitches, so he has a chance to make an impact later on in the World Series.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Solid start in Game 5 win
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Wheeler did not factor in the Game 5 decision Sunday during the 4-3 win, allowing two runs on three hits and zero walks while striking out eight in six innings against the Padres.
In the first postseason of his career, Wheeler delivered his fourth straight quality start of the playoffs. His first blemish came on a solo homer from Juan Soto in the fourth, and his second run allowed was scored after he was removed from the game in the seventh inning following a leadoff single. The 32-year old righty has been a dominant force on the mound in the postseason, amassing 25.1 innings and allowing just five runs (1.79 ERA) while striking out 25. His next start will come in the World Series against the Astros -- Wheeler did not face them in the regular season.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Dominates Game 1 of NLCS
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Wheeler pitched seven scoreless innings to earn the win in Tuesday night's Game 1 of the NLCS, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out eight in the 2-0 victory over the Padres.
Wheeler put together a stellar performance, needing only 83 pitches as he mowed down the Padres for seven strong innings. Wheeler was attacking with his fastball in the strike zone all night, getting five of his six first-pitch outs by way of the heater. The Phillies' ace has only allowed three runs and nine hits through 24.1 innings of work in October. Wheeler's ERA on the road in 2022 was 3.84 -- more than double his 1.85 home ERA -- so it is even more impressive that he was able to silence the crowd in San Diego and help give the Phillies a crucial road victory.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Available in relief
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Wheeler is available in relief for Game 4 of the NLDS against Atlanta and could also start Game 5 on short rest if needed Sunday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Wheeler pitched well for most of his Game 2 start on Wednesday, though a two-out rally in the sixth inning involving a hit-by-pitch, a walk and a trio of singles wound up leading to a loss. The Phillies don't fully trust their back-end starters, as they'll only ask Noah Syndergaard to go through the order once in Game 4. Whether Wheeler is used in Game 4 or saved for a potential Game 5 may depend on how the game plays out.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Dominates in final start
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Wheeler (12-7) allowed two hits over five scoreless innings Sunday, striking out seven and earning a win over the Nationals.
Wheeler tossed 51 of 77 pitches for strikes and managed to punch out seven batters despite forcing just four whiffs. After coughing up 10 runs in two starts before landing on the injured list, the 32-year-old righty has allowed one run across 15 frames in his last three outings. Wheeler ends his 2022 regular season with a strong 2.82 ERA and 163:34 K:BB over 153 innings.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Deals quality start
Rotowire
Wheeler did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk over six innings in a 2-1 loss against the Cubs. He struck out five.
In his second start since returning from the injured list, Wheeler delivered his 16th quality start of the season, needing just 62 pitches to get through six innings after throwing 58 in his first start back from the forearm injury. He will carry a 2.92 ERA into his next start.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Four scoreless in return
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Wheeler tossed four scoreless innings, allowing two hits while striking out three in Wednesday's extra-inning win over the Blue Jays. He did not factor into the decision.
Wheeler was activated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday following a forearm injury, keeping the Blue Jays off the board while logging 58 pitches in the start. The right-hander could take on a full workload as soon as his next outing as the Phillies challenge for a playoff spot. Wheeler owns a 2.98 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 151 punchouts over 142 innings in 24 starts this season.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Activated for start
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The Phillies activated Wheeler (forearm) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday versus the Blue Jays.
Though he's back in action after just under a month-long stay on the shelf, Wheeler is expected to be on a more limited pitch count than usual since he didn't complete a rehab start prior to being activated. Per Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, interim manager Rob Thomson indicated over the weekend that Noah Syndergaard will piggyback Wheeler on Wednesday, so the Phillies' ace could struggle to work deep enough into the start to factor into any decision.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Starting Wednesday
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Wheeler (forearm) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday against the Blue Jays, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Wheeler threw two simulated innings Friday, and interim manager Rob Thomson confirmed Saturday that the right-hander will rejoin the Phillies' rotation Wednesday. The 32-year-old will presumably be on a pitch count against Toronto, with interim manager Rob Thomson noting that Noah Syndergaard will piggyback Wheeler for the right-hander's next two turns through the rotation, according to Coffey.
Wheeler (forearm) pitched to hitters and threw two simulated innings Friday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
After a few solid throwing sessions, Wheeler is on track to return Wednesday against the Blue Jays. He will almost certainly be put on a pitch count when he returns, though there is no word on exactly how far he will be allowed to pitch into the game.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Has strong bullpen session
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Wheeler (forearm) threw a bullpen session Tuesday and will throw again Friday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Despite a setback in early September that delayed his return, Wheeler has been making solid progress in rehabbing his forearm. If he continues to show signs of improvement during what will either be another bullpen session or a live batting practice Friday, it is reasonable to expect him to rejoin the team within a week and skip on a minor-league assignment.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Throws off mound Saturday
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Wheeler (forearm) threw approximately 15 pitches off a mound Saturday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Wheeler played catch Thursday and was cleared for mound work a few days later. The right-hander is expected to throw a bullpen session Monday or Tuesday and will likely toss another later in the week. If he feels good following his throwing sessions, the Phillies hope that he'll be able to be activated around Sept. 20, when they'll return home following their upcoming road trip.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Plays catch Thursday
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Wheeler (forearm) played catch Thursday for the second time since he was briefly shut down from throwing earlier this week, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Wheeler had been in consideration to come off the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday against the Marlins, but he had his return date pushed back after his forearm flared up again. He's expected to play catch again Friday from 120 feet before stepping back on the mound for a side session later in the weekend. If Wheeler's forearm responds well to the activity, it's possible he could return from the IL next week without requiring a rehab start in the minors.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Won't start Tuesday
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Wheeler (forearm) won't start Tuesday against the Marlins, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Wheeler was targeting a Tuesday return, but he underwent an MRI on Thursday that showed some inflammation in his forearm, while interim manager Rob Thomson indicated Wheeler is getting better but is still experiencing discomfort. The team remains relatively unconcerned, but the right-hander will be re-evaluated Monday or Tuesday prior to potentially throwing a bullpen next week.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Could return Tuesday
Rotowire
Wheeler (forearm) is expected to throw a bullpen session this weekend, and if all goes well, he could be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday against the Marlins, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
The veteran right-hander landed on the shelf last week with forearm tendinitis, but he may be looking at a minimum-length stay on the IL. If Wheeler is able to return next week, he may not have any significant workload limitations given the brevity of his absence.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Should throw soon
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Wheeler (forearm) is on track to begin throwing in three-to-five days, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Wheeler hit the injured list Thursday with right forearm tendinitis, but he's since downplayed the issue, saying he's dealt with the problem before and that he could have potentially pitched through it. He'll instead skip at least two turns through the rotation, but it's possible he misses no more than that, as he expects to return after throwing just a pair of bullpen sessions. Bailey Falter has stepped into the rotation in Wheeler's place and will start Friday against the Pirates.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Placed on 15-day injured list
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Wheeler was placed on the 15-day injured list with right forearm tendinitis Thursday, retroactive to Aug. 22.
Wheeler struggled late in his start against the Mets on Saturday and has now given up 10 runs in 11.1 innings over his last two starts to take back-to-back losses. His injury may have contributed to his struggles, and he'll now have additional time to recover after landing on the injured list. Bailey Falter is expected to start on normal rest Friday against the Pirates to take Wheeler's place in the rotation. Wheeler is eligible to return as early as Sept. 6, and the Phillies hope that he'll be able to rejoin the active roster after missing just two turns through the rotation, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Stumbles late against Mets
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Wheeler (11-7) allowed four earned runs on five hits and four walks while striking out six across 5.1 innings to take the loss in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mets.
Wheeler held the Mets scoreless through four innings, though he allowed a pair of runs in each of his final two frames. His control was notably lacking, and he has now handed out at least three free passes in three of his last five starts. Wheeler has also been hit hard by the Mets in back-to-back outings, surrendering a combined 10 earned runs in 11.1 innings. Despite the recent stumble, Wheeler still has a 3.07 ERA and a 148:33 K:BB across 138 frames for the season.
