Philadelphia Phillies pitcher intends to retire after the 2027 season, according to a new report from The Athletic.
The 35-year-old’s $126 million contract with the Phillies runs through the end of the 2027 campaign, and he has indicated that will mark the end of his playing career.
“That’s the plan,” he said. “It’ll be easy to walk away.”
When asked if staying at his current dominant level would make it harder to walk away, he replied bluntly: “Doesn’t matter, no.”
However, teammate and catcher J.T. Realmuto isn’t so sure Wheeler will be able to step away if he’s still performing at a high level.
“He can say whatever he wants,” Realmuto told The Athletic. “But I can’t picture him dominating for two more years and then just calling it quits.”
“He loves the game. I’m still hoping he decides to keep pitching,” a teammate said.
Wheeler, who finished second in last year’s Cy Young voting, continues to be a key figure for the Phillies, who currently hold a 41-29 record as they prepare to host the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon—Wheeler is scheduled to start that game.
He began his MLB journey with the New York Mets in 2013, though his career was interrupted between 2015 and 2016 due to complications from a torn right elbow ligament that required two surgeries.
Wheeler signed a five-year, \$118 million deal with the Phillies as a free agent in 2019. He later inked a new contract worth \$126 million in 2024.
Earlier this month, Wheeler reached a major milestone by striking out Kyle Tucker of the Chicago Cubs for his 1,000th strikeout as a Phillie.
Though he has yet to win a World Series, the Phillies’ strong start to 2025 has positioned them as serious title contenders.