Zack Wheeler underwent surgery to remove a blood clot and was diagnosed with venous thoracic outlet syndrome; the repair often includes removal of a rib. Recovery is expected to take six to eight months, potentially allowing a return by Opening Day 2026. Wheeler has been the Phillies' ace, delivering low ERAs, elite strikeout totals and reliable starts; he has 195 strikeouts in 149.2 innings with a 2.71 ERA. The Phillies have starting depth including Cristopher Sanchez and Aaron Nola and may promote top prospect Andrew Painter. The club has added relievers Jhoan Duran and David Robertson. Philadelphia sits 74-54 with a six-game NL East lead.
The 35-year-old right-hander underwent surgery this week to remove a blood clot in his throwing shoulder. Venous thoracic outlet -- a rare sub-type of the compression disorder that pinches a vein and causes blood clots to form -- is repaired through surgery, which has been recommended for Wheeler and could allow him to return by Opening Day 2026. The surgery typically entails the removal of a rib to help decompress the area.
The loss of Wheeler for the rest of 2025 is a significant blow to the Phillies' championship hopes. Since signing with the Phillies before the 2020 season, Wheeler has been the best pitcher in baseball, a workhorse whose low ERA and high strikeout totals are made by his pinpoint command and variety of high-octane stuff. Wheeler had been a stalwart in the Phillies' rotation, making his full complement of starts in four of five seasons and regularly finishing near the top of Cy Young balloting.
He was turning in a typically solid season, striking out a major league-high 195 in 149.2 innings and allowing fewer than one baserunner an inning with a 2.71 ERA. With left-handers Cristopher Sanchez, Ranger Suarez and Jesus Luzardo, plus right-handers Aaron Nola and Taijuan Walker, the Phillies have ample starting depth to weather the loss. They also could eventually summon top pitching prospect Andrew Painter to bolster a pitching staff that has added closer Jhoan Duran and setup man David Robertson within the last month.
Collection
[
|
...
]