Phillies' Zack Wheeler continues to stamp out a claim for the NL Cy Young

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Phillies' Zack Wheeler continues to stamp out a claim for the NL Cy Young originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Since the Philadelphia Phillies activated right-hander Zack Wheeler from the injured list after recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, he has been electric. In six starts, Wheeler is a perfect 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA, a 0.82 WHIP, 36 strikeouts and a .176 batting average against.

On top of pitching well, Wheeler will celebrate his 36th birthday weekend (May 30) in style, as he will toe the slab when the Phillies face the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday in a three-game series.

With Wheeler back, the Phillies have a pair of aces that rival any other starting rotation’s top two in Major League Baseball. Left-hander Cristopher Sanchez has turned himself into the Phillies' other ace, as he currently carries a major league-leading 44 2/3 innings scoreless streak.

Pitching well enough to play in the All-Star game in his home ballpark (Citizens Bank Park), Wheeler is also making a strong case to win or place high in the National League Cy Young voting.

Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler has pitched well enough to be considered for the National League Cy Young Award​

According to MLB.com’s Thomas Harrigan, Wheeler’s strong start since his return has been what has placed the three-time All-Star in consideration for the award.

“We'll also give a nod to the Phillies' Zack Wheeler, who has returned from thoracic outlet decompression surgery looking as good as ever,” wrote Harrigan. “Missing a month of action to start 2026 won't do Wheeler any favors in the Cy Young voting, but he could make things interesting if he keeps pitching as well as he has through six starts (1.67 ERA).”

Wheeler is seeing more Chase this season, increasing his Chase percentage from 31.% (81st percentile) last season to 38.6 percent this season (98th percentile).

More MLB News:Phillies' Cristopher Sanchez's scoreless streak boosts his Cy Young case

Even though Wheeler has hinted that once his current contract with the Phillies — Wheeler has one year remaining, where he’s owed $42 million after this year — the rebound he has had since having major surgery could make him change his mind. Even winning his first Cy Young Award could prompt the Gold Glove winner (2023) to rethink things.

Wheeler’s counterpart and competitor for the National League Cy Young Award, left-hander Chris Sale, also made the same statement about retiring. However, Sale, who is two years older than Wheeler (38), signed a one-year ($27 million) extension with a club option for 2028 ($30 million) after still proving he was an elite pitcher — Sale won the 2024 National League Cy Young Award.

More MLB News:​

• Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski is in line to bring home some valuable hardware
• Pirates' Paul Skenes is not the odds-on favorite to win the NL Cy Young
• Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani is primed to win his first Cy Young Award
• The Phillies bench has been another weak part of the roster
• Giants' Rafael Devers needs to put his struggles in 'the rear-view mirror'

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