Zack Wheeler is all inside.
For now.
The Phillies big offseason acquisition on Sunday said he was committed to pitching this season, but left the door open enough to back off.
“Yes, definitely,” Wheeler said when asked if he had considered opting out of the season like several other major players in the major leagues have done.
“We just have to see how things are here on the field and in the stadium. I am happy with what I see so far. But things could change, especially once our baby is born. I always think about what is happening around me ” It is safe? It’s okay? Literally every day. I have to ask myself that. I’m going to keep asking myself that every day. “
Wheeler’s wife Dominique will give birth to the couple’s first child in about three weeks.
It is an anxious time to start.
Now add a pandemic.
Sheesh
“It is a very difficult decision,” Wheeler said. “It’s something that’s still playing in my head. I have to be very careful here, on the field, off the field, wherever I go. The health of the baby and Dominique is the most important thing to me. So, do what I can to make sure they’re safe, that’s goal # 1 for me. Baseball comes after that. “
Wheeler has voiced his concerns to team officials, including manager Joe Girardi.
Frankly, every person affiliated with the club has the same concerns about the health and safety of their families.
“We have chatted here and there,” Wheeler said. “I think they know what position I am in. I think we are going to sit down and talk about it. But we have not done it yet. I am happy with what has happened so far here (with health and safety protocols).
“But yeah, I’m definitely going to sit down with Joe and anyone else just to reiterate that. I’ll let them know how I feel. Joe is a family boy. Family comes first to him. That’s the first thing he does. He said to me when I spoke to him on the phone right after signing: “Family comes first. I know he recognizes him. He knows the situation I am in. He loves his children. He is a good guy. It is one of the reasons why the ones I signed here. “
There are a number of MLB players whose wives are waiting. Mike Trout is one and has expressed reservations about playing and compromising the safety of his family.
Wheeler was asked if he believed MLB should step in and make a general decision for players whose wives are pregnant.
“Maybe they could have put that label on men with pregnant wives. I think so,” Wheeler said. “I think they did a good job with everything else. But there are a lot of men with pregnant wives right now, whether it is later in the pregnancy, early in the pregnancy, they are at risk. It is a very serious thing as we all know. Maybe they should have thought a little bit more about that. I don’t know. Like I said, I can only care about myself and do whatever I can personally to protect my wife. “
Wheeler signed a five-year, $ 118 million contract in December.
Players who choose to exit the season do not receive their prorated wages unless they have an underlying health condition that makes playing too risky.
As for baseball, Wheeler’s on the right track. During the shutdown, he kept his launch program at home in Georgia. He had as many as 80 pitches in his bullpen sessions at home and faced batters at camp on Saturday. With the uncertainty surrounding Aaron Nola, he’s pitching at a nearby facility but hasn’t joined the team for official practice, Wheeler could end up starting the season on July 23-24.
That is, if the virus allows a season opener.
And everything is fine at home.
Wheeler hopes to take the allowed three-day paternity leave once the baby arrives. Then you will have to go through tests and health protocols before rejoining the team. She calculated that she would lose at least one start, maybe two.
The Phillies are prepared for sudden changes in their pitch rotations. Girardi said he will have relievers on horseback with each starter and a five-man starting team with the backup club in Lehigh Valley.
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