Phillies’ Zack Wheeler Hits Injured List: What His Blood Clot Diagnosis Means for the Team

Zack Wheeler left the mound after five innings, feeling frustrated as cheers from Phillies fans echoed in D.C. His manager, Rob Thomson, noted that Wheeler was upset about being taken out at just 97 pitches. This moment wasn’t unusual for Wheeler, who has been showing mixed command lately but managed to strike out six batters during the game.

Last week, Wheeler felt some stiffness in his right shoulder but reported normalcy as he warmed up for the game. However, after pitching, he started to feel heavy in his shoulder. The team’s head athletic trainer, Paul Buchheit, confirmed that tests revealed a blood clot near his shoulder, leading the Phillies to place Wheeler on the 15-day injured list.

Further evaluations in Philadelphia are planned next week, which will provide more details about his condition. Buchheit emphasized that the stiffness Wheeler experienced previously likely isn’t related to the clot.

Kyle Schwarber, one of Wheeler’s teammates, sensed something was off when Wheeler didn’t report the next day. He expressed concern about Wheeler’s health, stressing the importance of taking care of family first.

Wheeler’s injury raises concerns about his availability for the rest of the season. Missing weeks of play means additional time needed for recovery. As one of the top pitchers in the league, his absence is significant for the Phillies, who boast a strong starting rotation. Wheeler, now 35, has a 10-5 record with a 2.71 ERA and 195 strikeouts in 149.2 innings this season. He is a three-time All-Star and finished second in the NL Cy Young Award voting in 2024.

The team needs to adapt quickly. Even with Wheeler and Cristopher Sánchez, they are facing challenges. Jesús Luzardo has experienced ups and downs in his performances, Ranger Suárez has struggled since the All-Star break, and Aaron Nola’s return from injury remains uncertain. Although Taijuan Walker has been consistent recently, he isn’t expected to start in the postseason.

The Phillies had intended to shift to a six-man rotation with Nola returning. Now, they must stick to five starters again. Thomson expressed confidence in the team’s depth and mentioned top prospect Andrew Painter as a possible option if they need another starter. However, Painter has faced his own challenges and has struggled with command in his recent outings.

As the team looks ahead to the critical remaining games of the season, everyone is keeping Wheeler in their thoughts. Teammate Taijuan Walker reflected on the situation, emphasizing the team’s support and care for Wheeler, calling the injury “scary.”

Baseball can be unpredictable, and team dynamics shift with injuries, making Wheeler’s recovery even more crucial to the Phillies’ success. The strength of the rotation will undoubtedly be tested in the games to come.

For more on health-related sports injuries, you can visit Mayo Clinic.

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