The Latest Breaking News from Zack Wheeler

This was far better than when the Mets got Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler for R.A. Dickey and Carlos Beltran.

There are five clear favorites, and then a crop of secondary contenders.

A year ago, almost to the day, the Phillies’ highest-ranking baseball executive sat in the dugout before a game and touted Andrew Painter — 19 at the time — as both untouchable in trade talks and a possible major-league starting pitcher in 2023.

MIAMI — There was a time, shortly after Cristian Pache was acquired, when his at-bats would bring a sense of dread. Some fans suggested that a pitcher would have a better chance of getting a hit. The thought of manager Rob Thomson pinch-hitting that version of Pache was unfathomable.

Nick Castellanos will be dancing on his own at the All-Star Game in Seattle next week. No Bryce Harper. No Trea Turner. No Kyle Schwarber. No Aaron Nola. No Zack Wheeler.

PHILADELPHIA — Before the Phillies took the field on Saturday afternoon, Rob Thomson was asked why his team has struggled to hit with runners in scoring position.

Listen to Bryce Harper, and listen well. Last season, as memorable as it was for the Phillies, is over. Gone. Done. History.

OAKLAND, Calif. — A few weeks ago, after slogging through seven games in Atlanta and New York and winning only twice, several of the more prominent Phillies players vowed they were better than they looked against their chief division rivals.

PHILADELPHIA — Trailing by two runs with two out in the ninth, Kyle Schwarber and Garrett Stubbs leaned on the dugout railing and mused.

PHILADELPHIA — With two mighty swings Monday night, the Phillies chopped an early deficit to one run. Now, what they needed more than almost anything, was a shutdown inning from ace Zack Wheeler.

PHILADELPHIA — In his last start, on April 18 in Chicago, Zack Wheeler no-hit the White Sox through his first two innings, only to allow four runs on six soft hits in the third.