Zack Wheeler Returns to Form, Dominates Phillies' Rotation in 2026 Season When Zack Wheeler underwent his season-ending thoracic outlet decompression surgery in September 2025, the Philadelphia Phillies expressed confidence that the veteran right-hander would return to his pre-injury form in 2026. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski assured fans and analysts that Wheeler would "come back ... and be the Zack Wheeler of old," despite the surgery’s potential impact on his performance. However, the Phillies’ optimism was met with skepticism, as Wheeler’s return to the mound has exceeded even the most cautious expectations. Wheeler’s comeback has been nothing short of remarkable. After missing just under a month of the 2026 season due to the surgery, the 36-year-old right-hander has seamlessly reintegrated into the Phillies’ rotation. His early-season outings have silenced concerns about the surgery’s long-term effects or the underwhelming results from his April rehab starts. Through 10 starts, Wheeler has posted a 6-1 record with a 2.01 ERA, a figure that surpasses his previous best ERA in any 10-start span of his 12-year career. This performance is more than a half-run better than his second-best start sequence, which occurred in 2021 and 2024, when he posted a 2.52 ERA. What makes Wheeler’s resurgence even more impressive is his self-awareness. Despite his stellar numbers, the pitcher acknowledges that he has not yet reached his peak. In a recent interview, Wheeler admitted to experiencing "a few inconsistent starts in a row" and noted that his "command-wise" sharpness has not yet returned to his usual level. He pointed to his walk rate as a key area for improvement, citing three walks in two of his three starts this month.#mlb #philadelphia_phillies #dave_dombrowski #zack_wheeler #paul_casella
Phillies pitching coach on demoted Andrew Painter: ‘We're going to help him' The Philadelphia Phillies announced on June 18, 2026, that right-handed pitcher Andrew Painter had been optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley following a poor performance against the Miami Marlins. Painter, a 23-year-old rookie, was tagged for six runs in two innings during the loss, marking another setback in his MLB journey. The decision came after a string of struggles that included allowing 21 runs and seven home runs in 15 innings over his last four appearances. His overall 2026 season had been marked by a 7.06 ERA in 65 innings, with opposing batters hitting .404 (and a .660 slugging percentage) against his four-seam fastball, which he threw 33% of the time. His slider and sinker, thrown 21% and 11% of the time respectively, also faced significant success, with slugging rates of .302 and .364. The Phillies’ decision to demote Painter was met with cautious optimism from within the organization. General manager Dave Dombrowski emphasized that the move was intended to provide the young pitcher with the opportunity to refine his mechanics and improve his effectiveness. “He’s going to do the work,” Dombrowski said, noting that Painter would focus on adjustments to his delivery, particularly to reduce the extension that has plagued his mechanics. The goal, according to Dombrowski, is to help Painter “go more directly toward the plate on a consistent basis,” which he believes would enhance the movement on his pitches and improve his command. Pitching coach Caleb Cotham echoed this sentiment, acknowledging Painter’s dedication and the challenges he faces. “He’s worn down a little bit,” Cotham said, explaining that the pressure of performing at the major league level has taken a toll.#philadelphia_phillies #dave_dombrowski #andrew_painter #triple_a_lehigh_valley #caleb_cotham
Phillies Option Andrew Painter to Triple-A After Struggles in Major League Debut Andrew Painter’s brief Major League debut with the Philadelphia Phillies ended in disappointment, prompting the team to send the 23-year-old pitcher to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The decision came shortly after Painter’s latest setback in a Wednesday afternoon loss to the Miami Marlins, marking a significant step back for the former top prospect. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski acknowledged the move, emphasizing the team’s belief in Painter’s potential to rebound. “It’s difficult,” Dombrowski said, “but we’ve sent many good pitchers down, and they go down, get reset, and come back to do well. That’s what our goals are, and what we think will happen with him.” Painter, who had struggled to command his pitches throughout his first 65 big league innings, now faces a seven-to-10-day layoff before returning to the mound. During this period, he will focus on extra bullpen sessions rather than game action, a strategy the Phillies hope will help him regain his form. Despite some progress in recent bullpen sessions, Dombrowski noted the challenge of translating that improvement into consistent performance in games. “You have to carry it over to the game,” he admitted. Painter himself has taken the struggles in stride, expressing a willingness to work through his issues. “I have to get better, I have to do better,” he said, reflecting on his determination to improve. However, he acknowledged the difficulty of his current situation, calling his recent performance “about as good as it can right now under the circumstances.” The Phillies remain confident in his ability to return to form, with interim manager Don Mattingly stating, “I think it was the best thing for him. He’s not the first guy this has happened to.#phillies #dave_dombrowski #andrew_painter #don_mattingly #triple_a_lehigh_valley
Philadelphia Phillies Fire Rob Thomson, Appoint Don Mattingly as Interim Manager The Philadelphia Phillies, struggling with their worst start to a season in over two decades, announced the firing of manager Rob Thomson on Tuesday. Thomson, who led the team to four consecutive playoff appearances—including the 2022 World Series—will be replaced by Don Mattingly, who will serve as the club’s interim manager for the remainder of the 2025 season. Mattingly’s appointment marks a historic father-son managerial-GM combination, as his son Preston Mattingly is the Phillies’ general manager. The Phillies, the preseason favorites in the NL East, entered Tuesday with a 9-19 record, tied with the New York Mets for the worst mark in Major League Baseball. Their 28-game start has been their worst since 2002, when they also began 9-19. Despite a projected 2026 payroll of just over $315 million, the team has failed to live up to expectations, losing 11 of their past 12 games. The collapse has been particularly stark for a franchise set to host the All-Star Game and its surrounding festivities, with regulars Alec Bohm and Kyle Schwarber both hitting under .200 and starters Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola, and Andrew Painter posting 5.00-plus ERAs. Thomson, a 62-year-old baseball veteran, was promoted to his first managerial role in 2022 after a long career with the New York Yankees, where he served as a bench coach and third-base coach. He led the Phillies to consecutive NL East titles and the 2022 World Series, earning a contract extension through the 2027 season. However, the team has since regressed, failing to advance past the NL Division Series in 2024 and 2025 and losing in the NL Championship Series in 2023.#philadelphia_phillies #alex_cora #rob_thomson #dave_dombrowski #don_mattingly
‘Phillies Extra’ Q&A: Scott Boras on extending Bryce Harper’s ‘legacy’ in Philly The agent joined The Inquirer's baseball show to discuss a variety of topics, including Harper’s future, and the long-awaited smashing debut of rookie righty Andrew Painter. Published April 6, 2026, 2:59 p.m. ET A few weeks ago, the Phillies reworked ace lefty Cristopher Sánchez’s contract. In addition to picking up two club options, they tacked on two additional seasons, turning a four-year guarantee into an eight-year pact with deferred money. Could a similar arrangement be in the works for Bryce Harper? “In my discussions with [owner] John [Middleton] and [president of baseball operations] Dave [Dombrowski], they’re fully aware that Bryce has a legacy that he wants to fulfill in Philadelphia beyond the current contract,” agent Scott Boras said in this week’s episode of Phillies Extra, The Inquirer’s baseball podcast. “And we’ve already had discussions about that as we go forward.” Harper, 33, has repeatedly expressed a desire to play into his 40s. He’s eight seasons into a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies that runs through his age-38 season. Boras has previously conveyed Harper’s interest in revising the contract. But the deal doesn’t include an opt-out provision that would give Harper leverage to renegotiate. In a wide-ranging conversation, Boras discussed Harper’s future, the long-awaited smashing debut of rookie righty Andrew Painter, the looming labor fight between baseball’s players and owners, and more.#scott_boras #john_middleton #dave_dombrowski #bryce_harper #andrew_painter
