By JACK BEZANTS

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler plans to retire at the end of the 2027 season, it can be revealed.

The 35-year-old’s $126million contract in Philly ends at the conclusion of the season-after-next and according to a new report in The Athletic, that will be when Wheeler brings the curtain down on his season.

‘That’s the plan,’ Wheeler said. ‘It’ll be easy to walk away.’

Asked if he’d find it harder to quit if he remains as dominant as he is now, he simply said: ‘Doesn’t matter, no.’

But his teammate, catcher J. T. Realmuto, doubts that Wheeler will be able to quit the game in such good form.

‘I mean, he can say all he wants,’ Realmuto told the publication. ‘I can’t imagine him dominating for two more years and hanging them up. 

Zack Wheeler says that he is going to retire when his Phillies contract ends in 2027

Zack Wheeler says that he is going to retire when his Phillies contract ends in 2027

‘He loves it. I’m holding out hope that he keeps pitching.’

Wheeler was second in the Cy Young voting last season for the Phillies, who this time around are 41-29 ahead of hosting Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon. Wheeler is the starting pitcher for that game.

Wheeler started his career with the New York Mets in 2013 but from 2015, missed two years due to complications with a torn right elbow ligament that required two surgeries.

In 2019, as a free gent, the Phillies signed him to a five-year, $118m deal when Wheeler was a free agent – he signed his current $126m deal in 2024.

Earlier in June, Wheeler struck out Kyle Tucker of the Chicago Cubs to record his 1,000th career strikeout for the Phillies. 

He hasn’t won a World Series in his career but after a promising start to 2025, the Phillies are among the leading contenders.

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Star Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler announces plan to retire when $126million deal ends

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