![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769169730_686_0x0.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 9: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on against the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park on June 9, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Cubs 4-3 in extra innings. (Photo by Mitchell Leff\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Getty Images<\/p>\n
The Philadelphia Phillies appear resigned to essentially run back the same roster that disappointed in the playoffs last year.<\/p>\n
The team did make a strong push to bring in a notable new star as it offered a long-term contract to star infield free agent Bo Bichette, but those overtures ultimately fell flat. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a gut punch. I mean, you feel it,\u201d Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said after Bichette rejected his contract offer to join the New York Mets instead, according to MLB.com\u2019s Paul Casella<\/a>. \u201cThat day, you are very \u2014 upset, I guess is the way to say it. But you have to pick yourself up and shake it off, because you can\u2019t just wallow in what took place.\u201d<\/p>\n The Phillies pivoted to a reunion with veteran catcher JT Realmuto, further solidifying the sense that the team is returning with most of its star core back and looking to make a deeper playoff run next season.<\/p>\n ForbesPhillies\u2019 6-Year Veteran Joins Hated Rival MetsBy Peter Chawaga<\/a>Philadelphia Phillies Offer Update On Zack Wheeler\u2019s Injury<\/p>\n But if the Phillies are really going to \u201crun it back\u201d with their veteran stars, they\u2019ll still need to hope for a healthy return from franchise ace Zack Wheeler, which is far from a guarantee.<\/p>\n \u201cWheeler was 10-5 with a 2.71 ERA, and was the Phillies\u2019 top of the rotation ace, last season before the discovery of his blood clot and the immediately scheduled removal of it sidelined him indefinitely in August,\u201d Nick Tricome wrote for PhillyVoice<\/a>. \u201cWheeler was struggling with a dip in velocity before the diagnosis of his blood clot, and even though he’s working his way back, there are no guarantees that he’ll return in his former Cy Young-level form, especially as he enters his late 30s.\u201d<\/p>\n The Phillies have indicated that Wheeler is progressing well from his offseason procedure, but they haven\u2019t put a formal timetable on his return. And until he steps onto a major-league mound, it\u2019s unclear exactly how he\u2019ll bounce back from the time off.<\/p>\n