Philadelphia Ace Zack Wheeler Had surgery to remove blood clots from his nearly thrown shoulder earlier this week, but the right-hander is now facing another serious health setback. According to today’s team media release, Wheeler was diagnosed with intravenous thoracic outlet syndrome and is recommended to undergo thoracic outlet decompression surgery in the next few weeks. “This naturally ends Wheeler’s 2025 season, according to the Phillies’ projected schedule, and it will take him about 6-8 months to recover from the surgery.
This cruel news added to Wheeler’s turbulent week, as he was placed on the 15-day IL just seven days ago due to a blood clot. Successful surgery on Monday relieved at least the worst health problems and refocused on when and when to return to the pitch, even if it seems unlikely to return to the mound in 2025. Details about Wheeler’s status are relatively few, but speculations about thoracic outlet syndrome are given due to the common association between blood clots and the intravenous version of TOS.
Merrill Lynch Kelly It is the most famous example of a pitcher undergoing intravenous TOS surgery, and Kelly is the best situation Wheeler can achieve after the upcoming surgery. Kelly underwent surgery in September 2020, ready to begin the 2021 season, essentially not missing any rhythm as the right-handers continue to release solid numbers for the 2021-25 Rattlers.
This form of recovery helps because venous or vascular TOS surgery (related to blood clots) is a severe version of thoracic outlet syndrome, at least in terms of pitching. The Washington Post’s Jesse Dougherty Stephen Strasburgcareer.
“If you have to choose, then you are not sure which one you want to have [between venous and neurogenic TOS],” Kelly told Doherty.Blood clots are not fun. They are threatening lives. But for pitchers, TOS surgery to solve a blood clot is much easier than neurological problems. The diagnosis is more direct. Recovery is easier. I’m very lucky.transparent
This provides some silvery line to Wheeler’s situation, although naturally, everyone’s body responds to the surgery in a different way. Only time can tell whether Wheeler’s recovery can be as thorough as Kelly’s, or whether Wheeler’s recovery period will be extended to the 2026 season.
Of course, losing Wheeler in 2025 is bad enough for a Phillies team designed to win the World Series. Wheeler is in the middle of another great season, with a full release of the 2.71 ERA and Elite High School metrics in 24 games and 149 2/3 innings. Even during his 35-year-old season, the right continues to add a resume that will attract the attention of Cooperstown voters when he eventually retires. Wheeler has led all the pitchers of FWAR (37.5) since the start of the 2018 season and has a 3.11 ERA in 1356 2/3 innings, with the Mets and the Phillies.
Wheeler has been the host of the Philadelphia rotation since signing the five-year, 118mm free agent deal before the 2020 season, followed by the March 2024 Ink’s 2025-27 three-year, $126mm extension. While losing Wheeler was a big blow, Philes was at least deeper than most and could spin one and roll out a certain spin. Cristopher Sanchez,,,,, Ranger Suarez,,,,, Jesus Luzado,,,,, Aaron Nolaand Taiwan Walker As the starting five. Now, Wheeler can’t get the extra pressure because Wheeler can’t get it and his pound 2.18 career playoff era will be missed as Philes tries to grab that elusive championship ring.
Looking to 2026, Suarez is a free agent this winter Andrew’s Painter It is expected to be ready for his first major league season. If Wheeler’s recovery could be extended after opening day, it gave the Phillies cover, but now, based on Wheeler’s progress, adding a depth arm may be part of Philadelphia’s offseason plan.
