Phillies Make Major Announcement Regarding Star Pitcher’s Future

Phillies star Zack Wheeler is officially on the mend after undergoing surgery Monday. The team announced that Wheeler underwent a “successful thrombolysis procedure to remove a blood clot in his right upper extremity.”

The club said further treatment and a timeline to return are still being determined.

Wheeler, 35, was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a blood clot near his right shoulder in a stunning development for the first-place Phillies.

When Will Zack Wheeler Return?

A timetable for Wheeler’s return remains unknown, as Phillies manager Rob Thomson reiterated in his first public comments since the pitcher’s procedure.

“We don’t know. We don’t know until we get further information,” Thompson said, via 94.1 WIP Radio, when asked if Wheeler will pitch again this season.

Given where the Phillies are on the calendar, Wheeler almost certainly won’t be back in time to help the club in any capacity come playoff time. The bigger question is about his long-term outlook.

Thomson was also asked if Wheeler’s condition could be career-threatening.

“I don’t know,” Thompson said.

Former NFL doctor and orthopedic surgeon David J. Chao, better known as “Pro Football Doc” on social media, shed some light on Wheeler’s condition in wake of the team’s announcement.

“Glad to see he got quick treatment,” Chao wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “The key now is finding the cause. Return in 3 months is considered quick. His Phillies season (& playoffs) likely over.”

How Concerned Are the Phillies About Zack Wheeler?

As the Phillies try to chart the best path forward without their staff ace, their concern is more about Wheeler’s well-being than anything else.

“A lot of people ask me about the pitching staff and the team,” Thomson said. “Right now, my thoughts are just about him. I said the other day, this isn’t like a hamstring or a calf. This is real. This is life. My thoughts are constantly on him and his family. Hopefully everything works out. So far, so good.”

Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber said following Saturday’s game against the Washington Nationals, via MLB.com, that Wheeler’s health is of utmost importance. Schwarber called it a “scary” situation, and pitcher Taijuan Walker said the team is praying that he makes a quick recovery.

One of baseball’s best pitchers, Wheeler is 10-5 with a 2.71 ERA in 149.2 innings. His 195 strikeouts lead the NL and are second in the majors behind Garrett Crochet (196).

Wheeler last pitched Friday in a 6-2 win over the Nationals, allowing two runs over five innings while striking out six. Following the start, he reportedly complained of “heaviness” in his right shoulder.

The Phillies (71-53) entered Monday with a five-game lead atop the NL East.

What is a Thrombolysis Procedure?

As defined by Penn Medicine, a thrombolysis procedure is a “treatment that dissolves blood clots to restore normal blood flow. This approach is used in emergencies, such as heart attacks, strokes, and severe blood clots in the lungs or legs.”

It adds that by “quickly breaking down the clot, thrombolysis can help prevent damage to tissues and organs.”

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