Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Having season-ending surgery
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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.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Undergoes procedure for blood clot
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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.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Set for further testing
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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.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Goes on IL due to blood clot
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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.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Labors in no-decision
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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.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Fans seven in 10th win
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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.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Pushed to Sunday due to shoulder
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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.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Allows three homers in loss
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Wheeler (9-5) took the loss against the Tigers on Saturday, allowing four runs (three earned) on nine hits and no walks with 10 strikeouts over six innings.
Wheeler generated 15 whiffs on 98 pitches and turned in a quality start, but he was burned by three home runs and ultimately outdueled by Tarik Skubal. The 35-year-old has now dropped back-to-back starts for the first time this season and has allowed four runs in three of his past four outings, though one was unearned Saturday. He still boasts a stellar 2.64 ERA and 0.92 WHIP while leading all qualified starters with 182 strikeouts across 139.2 innings. Wheeler is slated to face the Rangers on the road next weekend.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Falls to Yankees
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Wheeler (9-4) took the loss Sunday against the Yankees, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out eight.
It's the first time since May 29 that Wheeler's failed to make it through six innings -- the right-hander had worked to a 1.57 ERA in six starts (40 innings) prior to Sunday. Overall, Wheeler's ERA sits at 2.56 with a 0.89 WHIP and 122:20 K:BB across 21 starts (133.2 innings) this year. He'll look to get back on track in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week at home against the Tigers.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Piles up 10 more strikeouts
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Wheeler didn't factor into the decision Monday against the Red Sox, giving up two runs on seven hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out 10.
Wheeler registered double-digit strikeouts for the third time in his last four starts, also recording a whopping 22 whiffs in the process. The All-Star right-hander has now thrown at least five innings in each of his first 20 outings of the season and continues to be a workhorse in Philadelphia's rotation, having now reached the century mark in pitches on 12 occasions as well. Wheeler sports a 2.39 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 164:26 K:BB over 128 frames, and his next appearance is slated for this weekend in a tough matchup against the Yankees in the Bronx.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Allows four runs in no-decision
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Wheeler allowed four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Saturday.
Wheeler had given up one run or fewer in five of his previous six starts, posting a 0.68 ERA and 54:7 K:BB across 40 innings in that span. The Padres were able to get some revenge for the eight shutout innings he twirled against them June 30 in Philadelphia. This was also the first time all year Wheeler has given up multiple home runs in a start, as Jackson Merrill took him deep twice. Wheeler still has a superb 2.36 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 154:26 K:BB through 122 innings over 19 starts this season.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: One-hits Cincinnati
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Wheeler (9-3) earned the win Sunday in a complete game against the Reds, allowing one run on one hit. He struck out 12.
It was a dominant performance from Wheeler in his fifth career complete game. The right-hander allowed just one hit, an Austin Hays homer to lead off the fifth inning. Wheeler hasn't allowed an earned run in his last four starts (28 innings) while logging 38 strikeouts in that span. His ERA is down to 2.17 through 18 starts (116 innings) with a stellar 0.84 WHIP and 148 strikeouts. Wheeler is currently scheduled to face the Padres on the road next week in what'll likely be his final outing before the All-Star break.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Pitches well but gets no support
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Wheeler (7-3) took the loss against Houston on Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks while striking out eight batters over six innings.
Despite walking three batters for the second straight game, Wheeler was very good Wednesday, holding the Astros to only a first-inning run and notching eight punchouts. However, Philadelphia was unable to put any runs on the board, sending Wheeler to his third loss of the campaign. The right-hander did manage to log his fourth straight start allowing one or zero earned runs, and he's posted an excellent 32:7 K:BB over 23 innings during that span. Wheeler's next scheduled start is tentatively slated to be at home against San Diego.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Returns to form with seven Ks
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Wheeler didn't factor into the decision Monday against the Cubs after giving up one run on three hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out seven.
After allowing a season-high six runs in his last start, Wheeler returned to form with a whopping 17 whiffs against a tough Cubs lineup. Monday represented his eighth quality start in his last nine outings and his 10th such effort this year, and the All-Star right-hander has now fanned at least seven on 10 occasions in 2025. Wheeler boasts a 2.85 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 101:19 K:BB over 82 innings, and he's currently lined up to face the Blue Jays at home this weekend.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Set to start Monday
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Wheeler (personal) is scheduled to come off the paternity list to start Monday against the Cubs, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Wheeler's last start came versus Atlanta on May 29, when he surrendered six earned runs across 5.1 frames in his worst outing of the season. The right-hander has stepped away from the team for most of the past week to be with his growing family, but he's set to rejoin the rotation for Monday's series finale versus Chicago.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Set to rejoin rotation next week
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The Phillies expect Wheeler (personal) to make his return to the rotation next week, likely during the team's three-game home series versus the Cubs that begins Monday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Wheeler was initially lined up to make his 13th start of the season this past Tuesday in Toronto, but he was excused from making the trip to Canada due the forthcoming birth of his child. The Phillies officially placed Wheeler on the paternity list Wednesday, and though he'll have to be activated Saturday after missing the maximum three games, the right-hander won't be asked to pitch during this weekend's series in Pittsburgh. To accommodate for Wheeler's absence from the pitching schedule, the Phillies will go with a bullpen game Friday, while Ranger Suarez and Cristopher Sanchez start the final two contests of the series versus the Pirates.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Goes on paternity list
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The Phillies placed Wheeler (personal) on the paternity list Wednesday.
Wheeler didn't travel to Toronto for the three-game series versus the Blue Jays this week while awaiting the birth of his child, but the Phillies waited until Wednesday before officially deactivating him. In a corresponding move, the Phillies recalled right-hander Mick Abel from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, and he'll start Wednesday's game. Per MLB rules, Wheeler will have to miss between one and three games while on the paternity list, so the expectation is that he'll be activated to make a start at some point during this weekend's series in Pittsburgh.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Not pitching in Toronto series
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Wheeler won't make a start for the Phillies during their three-game trip in Toronto to begin the week and is expected to remain in Philadelphia while he awaits the birth of his child, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Philadelphia had previously confirmed Wheeler as its starter for Tuesday's series opener, but with his wife expected to give birth any day now, he'll be away from the team while he welcomes a new child into the world. The Phillies will go with Cristopher Sanchez, Mick Abel and Jesus Luzardo as their three starters in Toronto, but Wheeler could meet back up with the team in Pittsburgh and take the hill as soon as Friday's series opener versus the Pirates.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Game postponed Wednesday
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Wheeler won't start as scheduled Wednesday against Atlanta since the game was postponed due to inclement weather, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
The contest will be made up via a split doubleheader Thursday, with Wheeler set to take the ball for Game 2, per Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The veteran right-hander hasn't given up a run in his past three starts and has a 2.42 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 88:14 K:BB across 70.2 innings this year.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Extends scoreless streak
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Wheeler (6-1) allowed three hits and two walks while striking out eight over 6.2 scoreless innings to earn the win Friday over the Athletics.
Wheeler hasn't given up a run over his last three starts, surrendering just nine hits and five walks while adding 22 strikeouts across 19.2 innings in that span. He's also won four straight starts while allowing no more than two runs in any of his last seven outings. Wheeler is now at a 2.42 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 88:14 K:BB across 70.2 innings over 11 starts this season. He's been one of the most reliable pitchers in the majors this year, and his next start is projected to be at home versus Atlanta.
