Phillies’ Zack Wheeler wins MLBPA NL Comeback Player of the Year
Wheeler had a resounding return to dominance from thoracic outlet syndrome, a condition that has derailed the careers of several pitchers.
Zack Wheeler won’t know for another two weeks if he’s Comeback Player of the Year in the National League.
But his peers have already spoken.
Wheeler was named NL Comeback Player in the annual Players Choice Awards, announced Wednesday by the MLB Players Association. The Phillies’ ace edged fellow pitchers Sandy Alcantara of the Marlins and Martín Pérez of the Braves.
In 28 starts, Wheeler went 14-5 with a 3.00 ERA and 193 strikeouts in 162 innings. By any measure, it was a resounding return to dominance from thoracic outlet syndrome, a condition that has derailed the careers of several pitchers.
» READ MORE: The Zack Wheeler conversation: Why he expected to thrive after surgery, and how much longer he wants to play
Wheeler’s 2025 season ended in mid-August with the discovery of a blood clot near his right shoulder. The clot developed when a vein got compressed between his collarbone and rib cage.
After having the blood clot removed, Wheeler underwent a second procedure to remove a rib and relieve the vein. His recovery involved physical therapy and a strict diet, not easy for an unabashed fast-food and junk-food lover. Wheeler left spring training at about 195 pounds, roughly 10 pounds less than normal.
It took time for Wheeler’s fastball to regain its usual zip. But concerns about diminished velocity during a minor-league assignment proved unfounded. The first pitch of his first start, April 25 in Atlanta, was 95 mph.
Wheeler didn’t miss a start the rest of the season. The 36-year-old righty had a 2.13 ERA through 15 starts but wasn’t selected for the All-Star team because he started the Phillies’ last game before the break.
After a six-start stumble in August, Wheeler finished strong with a 4-0 record and 1.67 ERA in his last six starts, including the season finale when he held Tampa Bay to one run in six innings to help clinch the final NL wild card.
If someone had told Wheeler that he’d be as effective as ever a year after surgery, what would he have said?
“To be expected,” he said in September. “When you have surgery, or anything along those lines, you just have to stay positive and keep a strong mindset, you know? You believe that you’re going to come back and be the same guy, if not better, because you’ve had more time to strengthen and fine-tune everything.
“For me, it was just come back, hit the ground running, and just be the same guy as I was, if not better.”
» READ MORE: What is Zack Wheeler facing in his return from surgery? We asked two pitchers who have done it.
Wheeler, the highest-paid pitcher in baseball, has one season left on his three-year, $126 million extension. When he signed that deal, he indicated 2027 might be his final season.
But would he really walk away if he’s still pitching as well as ever?
“Honestly, I mean, it’s just still up in the air,” he said. “I think a lot of things have to kind of play out for me just to be able to see.”
Wheeler is a candidate for MLB’s Comeback of the Year, which will be announced Nov. 11 at the league’s annual awards show in Las Vegas. The winner is voted on by the 30 MLB.com club beat reporters.
Tim Mayza was among the best, most under-the-radar Phillies stories this year. And he's coming back for more after signing a new contract last week. The Lancaster County native joined Phillies Extra, The Inquirer's baseball podcast, to discuss his solid season, building a culture in the bullpen, the origin of his "Sheriff" nickname, and more. Watch here.
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