Baseball: Zack Wheeler wins NL Comeback award

Zack Wheeler has secured the National League Comeback Player of the Year honor from the MLB Players Association. The announcement on Wednesday confirms that his peers viewed his season as a superior recovery compared to other candidates. Wheeler beat out Sandy Alcantara of the Marlins and Martín Pérez of the Braves in the annual Players Choice Awards. This recognition validates his return to the mound after a complex medical ordeal that threatened his career trajectory.

The path to this award began in mid-August 2025 when Wheeler discovered a blood clot near his right shoulder. The clot formed when a vein compressed between his collarbone and rib cage, a condition known as thoracic outlet syndrome. He underwent surgery to remove the clot, followed by a second procedure to remove a rib and relieve pressure on the vein. His recovery required physical therapy and a strict diet, a challenge for a pitcher who previously favored fast food. He left spring training at approximately 195 pounds, ten pounds lighter than his usual weight.

Wheeler’s first start came on April 25 in Atlanta, where he threw his opening pitch at 95 mph. He did not miss a start for the remainder of the season. Although he was not selected for the All-Star team because he pitched in the final game before the break, he finished the year with a 14-5 record. His 3.00 ERA and 193 strikeouts in 162 innings over 28 starts defined his performance. He had a 2.13 ERA through his first 15 starts before a six-start slump in August. He rebounded with a 4-0 record and a 1.67 ERA in his final six appearances, including a season finale where he limited Tampa Bay to one run over six innings to help secure the final NL wild card spot.

Wheeler, 36, is the highest-paid pitcher in baseball and has one year remaining on a three-year, $126 million contract. He indicated in September that he expects to return to his previous level of performance. "For me, it was just come back, hit the ground running, and just be the same guy as I was, if not better," he said. He noted that having time to strengthen allowed him to fine-tune his mechanics. Despite his success, he said his long-term future is still uncertain, stating that many things must play out before he can determine his next steps.

The award is part of a larger recognition cycle. Wheeler remains a candidate for MLB’s overall Comeback of the Year award. The league will announce that winner on November 11 at the annual awards show in Las Vegas. The decision for that specific honor will be made by the 30 MLB.com club beat reporters. Wheeler’s current status as the NL winner is based solely on the vote of his fellow players.