ATLANTA — Zack Wheeler’s first pitch within the large leagues in 253 days crackled at 95 mph.
He couldn’t assist however learn the speed on a board behind dwelling plate.
“The person is again,” catcher Rafael Marchán mentioned.
Wheeler made his extremely anticipated 2026 debut on Saturday evening in opposition to the Braves at Truist Park. He delivered an encouraging efficiency through the Phillies’ 8-5 victory in 10 innings, which ought to buoy the spirits of a workforce that snapped a soul-sucking 10-game shedding streak that put supervisor Rob Thomson and others on the new seat.
“When you stand up right here, it’s a special recreation,” Wheeler mentioned. “The adrenaline’s going. Issues matter. And, you already know, we misplaced 10 video games in a row. I imply, you’ve simply gotta go on the market and simply do it.”
Wheeler had thoracic outlet decompression surgical procedure in September, following a season-ending blood clot close to his proper shoulder in August. He had a rib eliminated. He misplaced 10 kilos following the process, which he nonetheless hasn’t regained.
No one knew what Wheeler would appear like on Saturday, particularly together with his velocity down in 5 rehab begins.
Even Wheeler questioned if he’d be the identical pitcher once more.
However he confirmed flashes of his Cy Younger-caliber self in 5 innings, permitting three hits, two runs and three walks and placing out six. His four-seam fastball averaged 95.5 mph within the first inning and 94.7 mph total after touching 94.3 mph and averaging 92.9 mph throughout his rehab task.
“He rose to the event,” Thomson mentioned.
Wheeler struck out Ronald Acuña Jr. swinging on a 96.5 mph fastball to start out his outing. It was his hardest pitch of the evening.
“The heater was pumping, the way in which that it was once,” Marchán mentioned.
Wheeler struck out Drake Baldwin swinging on a 1-2 curveball for his second out.
Wheeler threw 35 pitches in his first three innings because the Phillies took a 1-0 lead. He obtained 15 swings and misses. He seemed good.
“We misplaced 10 video games in a row, and I’m the subsequent man up,” Wheeler mentioned. “Clearly, I need to cease it. That’s all the time sort of been my factor through the years. If we’re in a little bit hunch, I need to be the stopper. Even when it’s two video games in a row, I need to be that man. I really like being in that state of affairs, and I take delight in it.”
Wheeler obtained into bother in a 36-pitch fourth inning, essentially the most pitches he had thrown in a body since July 29, 2024, in opposition to the Yankees (37 pitches, fifth inning). He walked the primary two batters he confronted. Ozzie Albies then reached on an infield single to load the bases with no outs.
Wheeler allowed two runs to tie the sport, nevertheless it may have been worse. Happily for him, he struck out Mauricio Dubón and Mike Yastrzemski trying to finish the inning.
“I’m not going to lie, I used to be a little bit drained,” Wheeler mentioned. “I used to be treading water on the market.”
However he threw simply 13 pitches in a clear fifth inning. He left the sport with a 3-2 lead.
“He seemed like Zack Wheeler,” Braves supervisor Walt Weiss mentioned. “That’s spectacular.”
“He’s obtained that elevated heater that he throws rather well,” Bryce Harper mentioned. “And every man that obtained to first base mentioned the identical factor.”
Tanner Banks allowed three consecutive hits to start out the sixth and hand the Braves a one-run lead. The Phillies tied the sport within the eighth, then scored 4 runs within the tenth. Harper’s two-run single gave Philadelphia the lead. Brandon Marsh’s two-run single offered insurance coverage.
Afterward, the Phillies shook arms on the sector. They hadn’t carried out that since April 13.
So, yeah, they loved it.
“Slapping arms and slapping butts,” Harper mentioned.
The Phillies have to preserve it going. They face one other problem on Sunday in opposition to Braves left-hander Chris Sale.
It gained’t be simple, however no matter occurs within the sequence finale, no less than Philadelphia is aware of it has Wheeler again.
“You consider this second,” Wheeler mentioned. “Me, I simply need to get it over with. Simply preserve transferring on. Simply the anxiousness a part of it. So yeah, I’m glad it’s carried out. Particularly once you come out of the sport. You get that weight off your shoulders. It’s simply the unknown going into it. You by no means know. You hear a variety of dangerous tales when stuff occurs. You don’t hear a variety of good.”
So Wheeler thanked his spouse, Dominique, and his 4 youngsters. He thanked Phillies head athletic coach Paul Buchheit, who labored with him all through the offseason. He thanked his teammates and all people else who performed a task in his restoration.
“Preserving me feeling welcomed and feeling necessary, I assume,” Wheeler mentioned. “I don’t know the suitable phrase. However they have been all pleased for me after this recreation, and which means so much to me.”
