26 Philadelphia Phillies (Wheeler) @ Seattle Mariners (Gilbert, L)

zambonir 2026-08-25 13:37:59 UTC #102

Wheeler’s velocity readings appear to support his claim. His fastball averaged 94.9 mph, consistent with his 95-mph season average. The Phillies have other metrics that also suggest Wheeler is healthy.

If it's mechanical (or if he's tipping pitches). they should be able to figure it out. Of course injuries can change your mechanics. But Wheeler didn't have any problem coming out of the rehab. Nothing a doctor or MRI can do if there's not actually an area with pain or inflammation to check out. Can't IL a guy if he's not actually injured.

Maybe he really is just feeling his age, and the time he missed as well, and the first three months were adrenaline? Or, yes, it's just one of those things. I always bring up how bad Cliff Lee was in September of 2009. He went from a sub-.600 opponent OPS for two months to over .800. And then October came.

Halladay comparison would be an unfortunate one, but he didn't suddenly fall off. He was injured in 2012 and then had surgery for the same issue in 2013. Unlike Wheeler he never pitched well again after the surgery. But very different surgery. Plus he was apparently addicted to painkillers.

Probably immaterial but Wheeler shouldn't have even been on that plane.You should fly the starter of your first West Coast game out a day ahead. Maybe even two. Of course then he'd have had to fly commercial like a minor league call-up.

andyb 2026-08-25 13:40:36 UTC #103

When Wheeler was good early in the year even without great velocity he was living on the black with multiple pitches every game. Now he is not close to doing that. He is just all over the place.

julio 2026-08-25 14:24:54 UTC #104

No, not like a minor league call-up. If you want Wheeler to fly out to Seattle a day or two early — which you should! — you put him in first class, not coach (where your minor league call-up would find himself). If he wants it, you also spring for a first-class ticket for his wife. In the context of the Phils' annual operating budget, this is a rounding error.

Philly-Seattle is a long flight; the last time I did it commercial, there was a layover/change of planes in Pittsburgh. (This was a long time ago, on USAir.)

zambonir 2026-08-25 15:17:46 UTC #105

Well yes, I was being sarcastic. In truth, Middleton could (and likely would) have them flown out on his private jet. But that's more of an October move than an August move. And Wheeler probably didn't want to be away from the team for two days (but one wouldn't have been a big deal).

You can fly direct from Philly on Alaska and American. Tbh, the first-class cabins on long-haul 737 flights are still not terribly comfortable. A huge upgrade for you or I, but not for people who are used to flying private or charter. And I would also like to think those minor league call-ups actually do get to fly in first-class, In many cases it's only going to be $800-$1000 versus $4-500, especially last-minute. Still a rounding error, even for a bench OF or 8th reliever. Of course we know the teams don't tend to see it that way, but they could also leverage their connections with the airlines through the charter company for an upgrade.

In any case, can't really blame yesterday on the jet lag given it was of a piece with his entire August performance.

Purduke 2026-08-25 15:40:44 UTC #106

Just Bajit ! You get a towncar to your hotel at no extra cost !

Patchmk88 2026-08-25 18:02:20 UTC #107

It’s definitely mostly his command that has been an issue. Hopefully they can identify the issue and figure it out.