Phillies' Zack Wheeler wins National League Comeback Player of the Year award
Wheeler, who came back from thoracic outlet syndrome, finished with a 3.00 ERA and 193 strikeouts in 162 innings. He is the first Phillie to win the award since Brad Lidge in 2008.
LAS VEGAS — When Zack Wheeler was diagnosed with venous thoracic outlet syndrome in August 2025, there were some external questions about whether he would ever pitch again.
Not from Wheeler himself, even though the surgery he underwent to address the thoracic outlet syndrome had ended pitchers’ careers before. But the Phillies right-hander was always sure he would eventually return, as dominant as ever. And when Wheeler was named Comeback Player of the Year at the MLB Awards on Wednesday night in Las Vegas, he had been proven right.
In 162 innings this season, Wheeler posted a 3.00 ERA and racked up 193 strikeouts.
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“That was probably the fun part of the season, was battling back with all these guys,” Wheeler said after the Phillies were eliminated from the wild-card series. “Everybody had to step up, and everybody did. Made it to the playoffs. Didn’t make it far as we wanted, obviously, but you got to take the good and bad from everything.”
Wheeler’s 2025 season ended abruptly after a blood clot was identified near his right shoulder following a start in Washington. He was having another Cy Young-caliber year, which was suddenly brought to a halt. After the clot was removed, he underwent thoracic outlet decompression surgery, which involved the removal of one of his ribs — which he kept as a souvenir.
Following a lengthy rehab process, Wheeler was reactivated from the injured list on April 25 and made his first start of the season that night against the Braves. He did not miss a start for the rest of the season.
The Inquirer's Lochlahn March takes a look at each of the Phillies' position groups — who will be back, free-agent questions, prospects who could be in the mix and more.
Infield | Outfield | Catchers | Starting pitchers | Bullpen
He is the first Phillies player to win the award since Brad Lidge in 2008.
Wheeler was also previously named the Players Association’s Comeback Player of the Year, which was voted on by his peers.
Former Mets and Orioles GM Jim Duquette, now the host of a show on MLB Network Radio, joined Phillies Extra to discuss how Dave Dombrowski can improve the roster and which free agents might fit best. He also offers a scouting report on Japanese slugger Teruaki Sato and weighs in on whether to expect a flurry of activity before the looming lockout. Watch here.
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Previous episodes: Garrett Stubbs | Tim Mayza | Aidan Miller | Scott Franzke | Larry Andersen | Matt Klentak | Jeff Francoeur | Luke Murton | Mike Hazen | Tony Gwynn Jr.
