Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Having season-ending surgery
Rotowire
Wheeler (shoulder) will undergo season-ending thoracic outlet decompression surgery, Paul Casella of MLB.com reports.
Wheeler underwent a procedure Monday to remove a blood clot in his right shoulder. Since then, he's been diagnosed with venous thoracic outlet syndrome, which will require a more significant surgery. The projected recovery timeline is 6-8 months, which puts Wheeler's 2026 Opening Day availability in doubt. He'll finish the 2025 season with a 10-5 record, a 2.71 ERA, a 0.94 WHIP and a 195:33 K:BB across 149.2 innings.
Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Undergoes procedure for blood clot
Rotowire
Wheeler (shoulder) underwent a thrombolysis procedure Monday to remove a blood clot in his right upper extremity.
According to the Phillies' press release, Wheeler's subsequent treatment plan and timeline to return to game action are yet to be determined. More clarity on the right-hander's situation should be available in the coming days and weeks. With Wheeler sidelined indefinitely, Taijuan Walker will continue to hold down a spot in the Philadelphia rotation as the team's No. 5 starter.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Wheeler (blood clot) returned to Philadelphia on Sunday and will undergo further testing Monday, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports.
Philadelphia placed Wheeler on the 15-day injured list Saturday, after president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski revealed following the team's 2-0 loss to the Nationals that the right-hander had been diagnosed with a "right, upper extremity blood clot." according to Patrick Stevens of the Associated Press. The Phillies are unlikely to provide further details on Wheeler's situation until a treatment plan for the blood clot is decided upon, but with just six weeks left in the regular season, the 35-year-old righty may not have enough time to make it back on the mound in 2025. Philadelphia had planned to move to a six-man rotation Sunday with Aaron Nola (rib/ankle) making his return from the 60-day IL, but Wheeler's surprise move to the IL a day earlier has prompted the team to scrap those plans.
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Goes on IL due to blood clot
Rotowire
The Phillies placed Wheeler on the 15-day injured list Saturday after he was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder.
The issue may partially explain why Wheeler has uncharacteristically struggled of late; over his past six starts, he's posted a 4.54 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN.com, a timetable for the right-hander hurler's return is unclear, and how soon Wheeler is able to throw again likely depends on how the blood clots respond to treatment. The IL stint no doubt damages Wheeler's run at the NL Cy Young Award, as he had been a top contender after registering a 2.71 ERA and 0.94 WHIP along with an MLB-leading 195 strikeouts over 24 starts spanning 149.2 innings.
Wheeler did not factor into the decision in Friday's 6-2 win over the Nationals, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks with six strikeouts over five innings.
Wheeler needed 97 pitches to complete five innings, marking the first time this season he's failed to work beyond the fifth frame in consecutive starts. The 35-year-old still appears to be shaking off some rust after battling shoulder stiffness, with his velocity down slightly across the board. He owns a 2.71 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and a major-league-leading 195 strikeouts across 149.2 innings and lines up for a home rematch with the Nationals next weekend.
Wheeler (10-5) earned the win Sunday at Texas, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out seven.
The Philadelphia ace looked sharp in this 83-pitch performance after having his start pushed back from Saturday due to shoulder stiffness. Wheeler generated an impressive 19 whiffs, as he notched seven or more Ks for the 19th time out of 23 total starts this season. The only blemish on his line came in the first when Wheeler conceded a 352-foot, two-run long ball to Joc Pederson. The 35-year-old has pitched to a 2.68 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 189:31 K:BB across 144.2 total frames while remaining in pursuit of his first Cy Young Award. Wheeler currently lines up to make his next start at Washington next weekend.
Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Pushed to Sunday due to shoulder
Rotowire
Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Wheeler's next start will be pushed back from Friday to Sunday in Texas while the right-hander manages shoulder stiffness, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Wheeler felt some stiffness following his most recent start in Saturday's 7-5 loss to the Tigers. He was sent for an MRI -- which came back negative -- and the hurler was able to play catch Wednesday. The Phillies don't appear concerned that the shoulder could be a lingering issue for Wheeler, but fantasy managers should nonetheless keep a eye on news pertaining to the 35-year-old leading up to Sunday. Assuming he makes it through his between-starts bullpen session without issue, Wheeler isn't expected to face any restrictions Sunday.
0:27
4:09
10:13
0:47
8:59
5:55
0:45
1:13
1:44
1:35
1:43
9:23
0:32
1:19
11:51
0:42
