Aug 15, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) pitches against Washington Nationals outfielder Robert Hassell III (57) during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- When the Phillies first set a timeline for Zack Wheeler's recovery from thoracic outlet syndrome, Memorial Day seemed to be a cautiously optimistic target.
It's starting to seem like that was more a conservative estimate.
Wheeler's recovery has gone swimmingly so far. So much so that he will throw a live batting practice on Saturday.
It will be the next step in his recovery, but often one live batting practice begets a second, and then there are game opportunities.
Is it possible Wheeler gets into game before Spring Training ends? No one has said, but as well as things have been progressing, it wouldn't surprise.
The Phillies will likely limit him to around 40 pitches on Saturday. If all goes well, he'll either schedule another live BP, or he could possibly throw in a game.
The sweet sights and sounds of Zack Wheeler pitching in Clearwater🌴⚾️
(via @GraceDelPizzo) pic.twitter.com/N1ef4B6PCz
Rob Thomson has been mum about it. When asked if this was a good step and another box to check on getting back into the rotation, all Thomson would say is, "Yeah."
He's likely being super cautious and not wanting to put the cart before the horse, which is understandable. Recovery is not linear and is full of pitfalls that you want to avoid, but Wheeler may be trending more toward an April return than a May one.
Like Wheeler, Kerkering will also throw a live batting practice on Saturday, but this will be his second while recovering from a grade 1 right hamstring strain suffered earlier in spring training during a bullpen session.
With this being his second live batting practice, the odds of him getting into game action before the Phillies head north are greater.
However, will he start the season on time?
"Possibly," Thomson said, also refusing to elaborate further on injured pitchers.
The one guy he said probably wouldn't be back to start the regular season is Max Lazar who returned from the World Baseball Classic (WBC) where he was pitching for Team Israel with a mild oblique/abdominal issue.
Thomson doesn't think it's serious, but the recovery time will likely require him to ramp up a little longer before he can pitch in the Big League this season.
Everyone's talking about Aaron Nola after his superb outing for Team Italy on Wednesday night in the WBC.
Even Rob Thomson talked about how optimistic he's been by Nola's spring so far.
"I'm very encouraged," Thomson said. "I really am. At the start of Spring Training I felt like, for him, because of the injuries he had last year and he didn't have as many innings, that this (WBC experience) was a good thing for him to go through. I think it's working out pretty good."
But Nola isn't the only Philly contributing to Team Italy's success.
That's because 2024 first round pick Dante Nori has been a revelation for Italy.
In four games he's batting .500 (6-for-12) with two homers, a double and five RBIs. On Wednesday he also executed a perfect safety squeeze to plate a run for the espresso drinkers.
"That's who he is, you know," Thomson said. "He's a ballplayer."
When Thomson calls a guy a ballplayer, that's how you know he really likes him.
But then he had more to say about Nori. When asked what has impressed him about Nori so far this spring, Thomson was effusive.
"His comfort level around the clubhouse," Thomson said. "He's a lot stronger than I envisioned. He's got more pop than I envisioned. He's a good looking kid. He's got a lot of tools."
