A cornerstone of the Philadelphia Phillies’ pitching staff may be nearing the final years of his career—and his catcher isn’t quite convinced. Zack Wheeler, one of MLB’s most reliable arms since 2020, indicated in a recent interview with The Athletic’s Matt Gelb that he plans to retire once his current contract ends after the 2027 season.
The revelation sparked reaction from longtime battery mate J.T. Realmuto, who has caught nearly every one of Wheeler’s starts since his arrival in Philadelphia. Realmuto didn’t mince words when responding to the idea of Wheeler walking away after two more seasons.
“I mean, he can say all he wants,” Realmuto told The Athletic. “I can’t imagine him dominating for two more years and hanging them up. He loves it. … I’m holding out hope that he keeps pitching.” With those words, Realmuto made one thing clear—he’s not ready to accept Wheeler’s retirement timeline just yet.
Realmuto and Cotham drive Wheeler’s game plan
Wheeler, now 6-2 with a 2.85 ERA in 2025, continues to perform like an ace, and Realmuto remains a key figure in his success. According to Gelb’s piece, Wheeler leans heavily on Realmuto and pitching coach Caleb Cotham for game planning. While some pitchers obsess over scouting reports and analytics, Wheeler defers that preparation almost entirely to the duo. “He cannot do it better than Realmuto and Cotham. Why try?” Gelb wrote, underscoring the trust that has developed over six seasons.
Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the top of the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park on June 9, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The results speak volumes. Wheeler has thrown 82 innings this season, recording 101 strikeouts and just 19 walks while maintaining a 0.902 WHIP. Since 2020, he’s amassed a 65-34 record with a 2.93 ERA and a 2.18 ERA in postseason play—elite numbers that have solidified his place among the league’s top arms.
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Despite signing a three-year, $126 million extension this past offseason, Wheeler made it clear in Gelb’s report: “Doesn’t matter.” When asked if continued success might change his mind, he replied firmly, “No.”
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Still, Realmuto isn’t giving up hope. With their chemistry on full display every five days and Wheeler’s passion for pitching evident, the catcher is betting that performance and love for the game could change his mind before 2027.
