Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves

Zack Wheeler’s first pitch in the big leagues in 253 days crackled at 95 mph. He couldn’t help but read the velocity on a board behind home plate. “Cool,” he said. “The man is back,” catcher Rafael Marchán said. Wheeler made his highly anticipated 2026 debut on Saturday night against the Braves at Truist Park. He delivered an encouraging performance during the Phillies' 8-5 victory in 10 innings, which should buoy the spirits of a team that snapped a soul-sucking 10-game losing streak that put manager Rob Thomson and others on the hot seat. “Once you get up here, it’s a different game,” Wheeler said. “The adrenaline’s going. Things matter. And, you know, we lost 10 games in a row. I mean, you’ve just gotta go out there and just do it.” Wheeler had thoracic outlet decompression surgery in September, following a season-ending blood clot near his right shoulder in August. He had a rib removed. He lost 10 pounds following the procedure, which he still hasn’t regained. Nobody knew what Wheeler would look like on Saturday, especially with his velocity down in five rehab starts. Even Wheeler wondered if he’d be the same pitcher again. But he showed flashes of his Cy Young-caliber self in five innings, allowing three hits, two runs and three walks and striking out six. His four-seam fastball averaged 95.5 mph in the first inning and 94.7 mph overall after touching 94.3 mph and averaging 92.9 mph during his rehab assignment. “He rose to the occasion,” Thomson said.