Zack Wheeler injury news
Zack Wheeler finished a close second in the 2021 National League Cy Young Award race, narrowly dropping the honor to Milwaukee’s Corbin Burnes. Wheeler led all of Major League Baseball with 213.1 innings pitched and 849 batters faced as his durability helped the Phillies stay in the race for the postseason until the last week of the 2021 season.
That was then. However, this is now, and 2022 isn’t starting off on the most certain foot for the Philadelphia ace.
Reportedly dealing with shoulder soreness in the offseason, the Phillies were already cautious with Wheeler before camp began. However, a bout with the flu threw off his preparation schedule in spring. After a bullpen session this weekend, Wheeler believes he will be ready for the opening week of the season. However, there are still hurdles to climb between now and the end of spring training to ensure he hits that goal.
“If everything goes like it is right now, we should be good to go,” Wheeler told reporters after his bullpen session on Sunday.
One thing to note is that reports keep saying that Wheeler should (key word there) be ready to pitch during the season’s opening week. They are not saying Opening Day, which is scheduled against the Oakland A’s in Philadelphia on April 8.
Phillies fans should keep an eye on Wheeler’s remaining bullpen sessions and how he fares when he possibly faces live batters in a Grapefruit League game. If he doesn’t get into a Grapefruit League game, the Phillies may have to rely on batting practice sessions to judge Wheeler’s health and availability.