Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler will have some additional time off following the All-Star break. Wheeler is not expected to take the mound during the team’s upcoming series against the New York Mets.
According to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki, Philadelphia will open the second half with Aaron Nola, Jesús Luzardo, and Alan Rangel leading the starting rotation. The Phillies have recovered from an uneven beginning to the season and are now close to the top spot in the National League East. Sitting at 54-43, Philadelphia is just two games behind the Atlanta Braves.
Why Is Zack Wheeler Not Starting This Weekend?
Although Wheeler missed the opening month of the season after undergoing surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, the veteran right-hander has continued to establish himself among the best pitchers in baseball.
Through his first 15 starts, Wheeler owns a 10-1 record with a 2.13 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP. He has also recorded 108 strikeouts across 93 innings.
In his latest appearance on July 12 against the Detroit Tigers, Wheeler delivered six scoreless innings, striking out 10 batters in a 5-0 Phillies victory.
After striking out 14 against the Cincinnati Reds on July 7 and recording 10 strikeouts versus the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 1, Wheeler has now reached double-digit strikeouts in three straight starts for just the second time in his career.
The Phillies could have elected to start Wheeler on regular rest against their division opponent. Instead, the 36-year-old is expected to make two starts next week, facing the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees.
Philadelphia also decided to delay the return of another top starter, Cristopher Sánchez, after he pitched in Tuesday’s All-Star Game. Sánchez has emerged as a legitimate NL Cy Young Award contender, posting an 11-4 record with a 2.62 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP.
Why Was Zack Wheeler Not an All-Star?
The rotation decision comes shortly after Wheeler turned down an invitation to replace an injured player at the All-Star Game. The right-hander told The Athletic that he felt “disrespected” after not being included among the original selections.
“I don’t need a pity party,” Wheeler said. “I don’t need somebody saying, ‘He’s had major surgery. Look at him now.’ I don’t need that. It was my plan to come back as who I was or even better.”
By giving both Wheeler and Sánchez extra rest, the Phillies will have their two leading starters available for matchups against two teams considered World Series contenders.
Thursday’s series opener will feature Aaron Nola taking the mound against Mets right-hander Christian Scott, who enters with a 2-1 record and a 3.17 ERA. Nola, meanwhile, is 3-6 with a 5.75 ERA this season.
In his first start against New York in 2025 on June 18, Nola surrendered three runs (two earned) over five innings as Philadelphia fell 6-4.