Injury updates: Report: ‘A little concern’ with Aidan Miller’s back soreness

Phillies Injury Updates

• INF Aidan Miller (low back soreness)
• Status: Day-to-day
• According to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Saturday there’s “a little concern” over Phillies prospect Aidan Miller’s back soreness. Dombrowski reportedly said Miller experienced a setback in his recovery, and “nobody knows exactly” what caused it. Without getting ahead of himself, Dombrowski said Miller’s making progress again, and there’s hope he’ll be ready for the season’s start. That’s not a certainty, though.
• Miller spoke with a group of reporters on Thursday, February 26 in Clearwater. He told the group, including the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Scott Lauber, that he dealt with similar lower back soreness at the end of last season.
• “It went away for a little bit, and I thought it was gone,” Miller said Thursday. “Structurally, there’s nothing wrong there.” – Last updated by Nathan Ackerman on Feb. 28

• RHP Zack Wheeler (thoracic outlet syndrome)
• Status: Will miss Opening Day
• Phillies starter Zack Wheeler underwent thoracic outlet syndrome decompression surgery in September. He has not pitched in a game since Aug. 15. His venous TOS diagnosis was announced on Aug. 23. Wheeler did not pitch in the 2025 postseason.
• Wheeler on February 26 threw his first bullpen session since undergoing surgery. Per Lochlahn March of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Wheeler threw 21 pitches, all fastballs and sinkers. Manager Rob Thomson was asked if he can pitch in major league games in six weeks: “Possibly,” Thomson said. — Last updated by Destiny Lugardo on Feb. 27

• OF Brandon Marsh (left hand inflammation)
• Status: Day-to-day
• Brandon Marsh has not played in a Grapefruit League game since Sunday, February 22. He jammed his left hand while participating in a sliding drill on Tuesday, February 24, per Corey Seidman of Sports Illustrated. Imaging on the hand came back clean. Thomson expects him to return to Grapefruit League action after the Phillies’ off day on Monday, March 2. — Last updated by Destiny Lugardo on Feb. 27

• RHP Orion Kerkering (right hamstring strain)
• Status: Has not yet pitched in the Grapefruit League
• Kerkering suffered a mild Grade 1 hamstring strain in a bullpen session before the official start of camp. He hopes to pitch off the mound as soon as Sunday, March 1, per the Inquirer’s Scott Lauber. — Last updated on Feb. 27 by Destiny Lugardo

• OF Gabriel Rincones Jr. (knee soreness)
• Status: Grapefruit League debut delayed
• Phillies outfield prospect Gabriel Rincones Jr. is dealing with soreness in both knees, particularly the left knee. He is cleared to swing and throw, but Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Rincones likely won’t play in Grapefruit League games until the middle of the schedule. Rincones, who slugged 18 home runs for Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2025, is a depth piece for a Phillies team that is thin on outfielders. — Last updated on Feb. 12 by Destiny Lugardo

Non-roster invitees

• RHP Michael Mercado (right shoulder impingement) — Mercado is shut down from throwing.
• C Mark Kolozsvary (left ACL surgery) — Kolozsvary is cleared to throw, catch and hit. He is unable to run.
• RHP Daniel Robert (cardiovascular) — Robert had a “cardiovascular event” last Fall. He briefly left camp to undergo a stress test in Atlanta. He’s doing fine, but is ramping up at a slower pace.