Zack Wheeler back on the mound for first time since surgery
For the first time since having thoracic outlet decompression surgery in September, Zack Wheeler was back on a mound in Clearwater on Thursday afternoon.
Zack Wheeler back on the mound for first time since surgery originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Video Transcript
Five months after he had surgery to alleviate thoracic outlet syndrome, Phillies ace Zack Wheeler threw his first bullpen session Thursday.
21 pitches, all fastballs, good pop.
it was very good.
You know, he's been, recovering pretty well.
a couple days ago, we identified possibly today that it would be the day, and like I said yesterday, it was gonna be soon.
he came in, he felt good.
so we went after it.
It was 21 pitches.
the velo was good, the ball flight was good.
It was just four-seam sinkers, so four-seam, two-seam.
So, hit the glove.
He, he was good.
He's worked awfully hard, and that's, that's the key to it.
so since he's put in the hard work, not really, you know, but he's worked harder than he's ever worked in the off-season, so, it's a really good sign.
He's strong.
shoulder's stronger than it ever has been, so, we really feel good about him.
There's no official timetable for when Wheeler will be ready for big league g- game action, but the general feel is late April or early May, depending on how his buildup goes.
While Wheeler is off and running, building arm strength, the rest of the Phillies rotation is ready for Grapefruit League game action.
Aaron Nola pitches Friday in Clearwater, Christopher Sanchez, Saturday in Dunedin, and Andrew Painter will pitch Sunday against the New York Yankees.
It should be fun.
In Clearwater, Jim Salisbury, NBC Sports Philadelphia.
