The Philadelphia Phillies will open the 2026 season without their ace.

Manager Rob Thomson confirmed that Zack Wheeler is not expected to be ready for Opening Day as he continues working his way back from offseason surgery.

While the organization remains optimistic about Wheeler’s long-term outlook, the club is taking a cautious approach with his ramp-up, prioritizing health over early-season urgency. Thomson noted that Wheeler is progressing but hasn’t yet reached the point where he’s facing hitters or building full game workloads.

The Phillies expect Wheeler to return shortly after Opening Day, but no firm timetable has been established.

In the meantime, Philadelphia will rely on its rotation depth to carry the load early, with arms like Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo likely stepping into more prominent roles out of the gate.

Wheeler’s absence — even briefly — is significant for a team with championship aspirations. The Phillies will need steady production from the rest of the staff while they wait for their ace to rejoin the mix.