With just 16 regular-season games remaining, the Phillies are slowly getting healthier.
Zack Wheeler will return Wednesday after missing five turns through the rotation with inflammation in his right forearm. Wheeler did not go on a minor-league rehab assignment so the start is likely to last two or three innings. Noah Syndergaard, moved to the bullpen with Wheeler due back, is expected to eat innings thereafter, though he won't enter in the middle of an inning, manager Rob Thomson said.
Nick Castellanos is also progressing toward a return. The Phillies' starting right fielder has been out since September 2 with an oblique strain. He hasn't been able to hit in the batting cage but was expected to Tuesday or Wednesday.
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The 74 plate appearances in right field without Castellanos have gone to Matt Vierling (39), Nick Maton (26) and Dalton Guthrie (9). The trio has combined to hit a respectable .261/.297/.435. Castellanos has hit .265/.305/.397 in his first season with the Phillies.
Vierling started in right field Tuesday as the Phillies opened their final homestand of 2022 against the Blue Jays.
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