The Phillies have been very coy with announcing any coming events for pitcher Zack Wheeler after his surgery to repair thoracic outlet syndrome. It’s good news that Rob Thomson on Thursday announced that Wheeler will throw live batting practice on Saturday as the next step in his rehab. Wheeler has been feeling more comfortable throwing regular bullpen sessions and the Phillies have decided to bump him to the next phase.

The team was reluctant to put any timing on moves so that if for whatever reason Wheeler was unable to make that next step there would not be any anxiety about how his recovery was going. They have said that the beginning, or as some have put it, “early May,” is somewhat of a target for his return, but that also is not written in stone.

Wheeler was placed on the IL August 17 with what was termed a “right upper extremity blood clot.” The 35-year old was found to have developed thoracic outlet syndrome, which is caused by the compression of nerves or blood vessels between the collarbone and first rib. To repair the condition, surgeons removed the first rib to provide relief for the nerves/blood vessels. Wheeler famously was given the rib as a souvenir and he has kept it.

If not for the injury, Wheeler would have gotten some consideration in Cy Young Award voting. When he went on the IL, he had made 24 starts, posted a 10‑5 record, a 2.71 ERA, a 0.935 WHIP and struck out 195 hitters in 149 2/3 innings.

The recovery rates from TOS surgery are non-consistent. Many pitchers have never really returned to form after surgery, but Wheeler appears to be not only a quick healer, but one of the few that do make a full recovery. Facing live hitters is the next step for Wheeler and a precursor to appearing in either spring training games or to start a minor league rehab assignment once the season begins.

Watching Orion

Rob Thomson also announced that Orion Kerkering, who has been slowed with a grade 1 right hamstring strain and has not pitched in a game this spring, will throw his second live BP on Saturday. He could make the next step to pitching in a game soon after that and Thomson did not rule out the potential for him to start the season on time out of the Phillies bullpen.

The Phillies revamped their bullpen over the winter and are counting on Kerkering to be a key part of the relief corps.

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