Bryce Harper has seen teammates come and go, whether through trades or retirement. Now, another longtime Philadelphia Phillies pitcher is preparing to say goodbye—not just to the team, but to a successful MLB career: Zack Wheeler.
As reported by Matt Gelb, Wheeler, a veteran pitcher who has spent six seasons with the Phillies, will retire at the end of his contract. The right-hander joined Philadelphia in 2020 after leaving the Mets, and his time on the mound as a professional pitcher will soon come to a close.
According to the report, Wheeler’s exact retirement date aligns with the expiration of his contract in 2027. In his final season, he will collect a $42 million paycheck—the last installment of his three-year, $126 million deal.
Wheeler found his best years in Philly
The numbers tell the story: Wheeler has put together the best stretch of his career with the Phillies. In 2021, he posted career highs in innings pitched (213.1), complete games (3), strikeouts (247), WAR (7.5), and shutouts (2).
His time in Philadelphia has also included three postseason runs—something he never experienced in his days with the Mets. Reflecting on his teammate’s success, Harper said back in April, “Things have come together for him the last couple years, and it’s a lot of fun to watch him.”
Mutual respect between Harper and Wheeler
That appreciation goes both ways. Earlier this 2025 MLB season, Wheeler expressed gratitude for Harper, who helped spark a fast start to his year.
“Just watching his home runs over the years, they come at good times,” Wheeler said of Harper. “He told me that he was glad he could get me to a 2-0 start. He’s been trying to do that for a while.”