Phillies outline next rehab steps for Zack Wheeler and Orion Kerkering

Zack Wheeler is scheduled for a 25‑pitch bullpen session Sunday as the Phillies advance his throwing program after mound work, and Orion Kerkering is set for a 20‑pitch bullpen Saturday as he continues to recover from a right hamstring strain.

Zack Wheeler and Orion Kerkering are moving through staged throwing programs at the Phillies' Clearwater spring camp. Wheeler completed a mound outing that included 21 pitches and is next scheduled for a 25‑pitch bullpen session of fastballs and some splitters. The club plans to hold off on breaking balls from the mound until at least Wheeler's third bullpen. Kerkering has been working through a right hamstring strain and will throw a 20‑pitch bullpen session as he returns to game readiness. Current status: - Zack Wheeler is slated for a 25‑pitch bullpen session Sunday and has thrown breaking balls off flat ground but not yet off the mound; the Phillies space bullpen sessions two days apart and his next pens could be Sunday and Wednesday, with live batting practice a possible next step. - Wheeler missed the final 40 games and the NLDS last season after being diagnosed with venous thoracic outlet syndrome and undergoing surgery on Sept. 23; he said he felt encouraged after throwing off a mound and did not rule out a mid‑April return. - Orion Kerkering will throw a 20‑pitch bullpen on Saturday, with a plan that likely includes a second bullpen session and then live batting practice; he has not yet appeared in a Grapefruit League game. - Kerkering is expected to be a high‑leverage right‑handed reliever behind Jhoan Duran and Brad Keller; he has a 2.79 ERA in 136 appearances over his first three seasons and has 10 strong playoff outings in 15 appearances. - Prospect Aidan Miller is dealing with lower back soreness and played catch as he works toward a spring debut with no timetable, and Marsh had hand inflammation from a sliding drill but imaging was reported as fine with plans for him to play Tuesday. Summary: Wheeler and Kerkering are following staged progressions that pair scheduled bullpen sessions with later live batting practice when appropriate. Other players at camp are being evaluated case‑by‑case, and specific return dates beyond the next bullpen sessions are undetermined at this time.