The Phillies' Opening Day Ace Might Be a No-Show, But What Does That Mean for the Team?
It looks like the Philadelphia Phillies might be starting the season without one of their key pitchers, Zack Wheeler. While manager Rob Thomson indicated on Monday that Wheeler is unlikely to be ready for opening day, he also reassured fans that the delay won't be a lengthy one, stating he "won’t be too far behind that."
This news might come as a surprise to some, but it's important to remember that Wheeler's presence for the very first game of the 2026 season was never a sure thing. Following surgery for a blood clot in his upper right arm on September 23rd, the typical recovery period for this type of venous thoracic outlet decompression surgery is a substantial six to eight months. So, while he's progressing, a full return right at the season's start is a tall order.
Wheeler, who is 35 years old, is still in the recovery process. He hasn't yet returned to the mound to throw and is currently working with throws at a distance of 90 feet. His most recent throwing session on Saturday, according to Thomson, yielded "very good" reports. "We’re still plugging along," Thomson commented, emphasizing that Wheeler's readiness will ultimately depend on his strength, but confirming that "he’s doing well."
But here's where it gets interesting... With Wheeler potentially sidelined for the initial games, this opens a significant door for a promising young talent: Andrew Painter. The 22-year-old prospect was anticipated to make his major league debut last year, but a challenging season with pitch command following Tommy John surgery put that on hold. Painter's 2025 season saw him pitch 118 innings across single-A Clearwater and triple-A Lehigh Valley, with an ERA of 5.26.
Team president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, shared his recent impressions of Painter, noting he looked "in really good shape" during a Monday viewing. "He had stuff last year. He still threw hard last year. I’m looking for him to command his pitches better," Dombrowski explained. He also mentioned that Painter has resumed long toss, a practice he hadn't always prioritized, and has adjusted his arm angle, which is believed to help him regain his previous form.
And this is the part most people miss... Beyond Painter, the Phillies' rotation depth in the minor leagues appears somewhat thin. This could become a concern if any other starting pitchers experience injuries. Adding to this potential challenge, three key members of the projected rotation – Cristopher Sánchez, Aaron Nola, and Taijuan Walker – are slated to participate in the World Baseball Classic in March. This means they'll be joining the team later in spring training, potentially with less preparation time.
Dombrowski acknowledged the need for continued focus on acquiring starting pitching depth as spring training progresses. He anticipates a busy trade market this spring, partly due to the later signing of some players, which can create ripple effects for others. "I do think that this is going to be a spring where you continue to have more trade conversations than you normally do during spring training," he stated. "But when our scouts go out there, that’ll be one of our focuses. And we may develop that internally, too; there’s some guys that we do like. But that’ll be a focus of ours, is starting pitching depth."
So, the question remains: Is the Phillies' current pitching depth sufficient to weather potential storms, or will they need to make a significant move to bolster their rotation before the season officially kicks off? What are your thoughts on Andrew Painter stepping up? Do you believe the team has enough internal options, or should they actively pursue trades for more starting pitching? Let us know in the comments below!
