May 29, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) throws a pitch against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
PITTSBURGH - The answer to the question of when Zack Wheeler will be back for the Phillies was revealed Sunday morning with one word.
"Tomorrow," said manager Rob Thomson.
Wheeler has been out of action for a week while on the paternity list. He was originally thought to be able to join the team in Pittsburgh this weekend, but it got pushed back a couple days to start Monday when the Phillies return home to face a much tougher Chicago Cubs lineup.
Thomson said that Wheeler threw a bullpen yesterday back home in Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park to be on schedule to throw Monday.
The Phillies will have to make a roster move to recall Wheeler, and it'll most likely be one of the bullpen arms since the Phillies have been carrying an extra reliever while Wheeler has been on the paternity list.
The Phillies had to make a procedural move on Saturday to move Wheeler to the Family Medical Emergency List for two days to maintain an extra reliever for the weekend in Pittsburgh.
Daniel Robert is the likely candidate to be sent back to Lehigh Valley, but the Phillies won't make that call until after Sunday's game to ensure no other injuries come into play.
As for the rest of the Chicago series, Mick Abel will start on Tuesday and Jesus Luzardo will go on Wednesday afternoon.
In other starter news, Aaron Nola will see team doctors on Monday about his pain in his side, but the thought is it is related to him having flu-like symptoms earlier this week and he was having soreness from a lot of coughing. Assuming it's nothing structural, he will resume throwing this week.
