The Philadelphia Phillies have been dealt an unexpected and frightening setback. Their ace pitcher, Zack Wheeler, has been diagnosed with a rare and serious condition—a blood clot in his right shoulder area, the very arm he relies on to throw.
The news has left teammates, coaches, and fans concerned not only about the season but about Wheeler’s health and long-term well-being.
How the Diagnosis Came About
Wheeler had already been managing shoulder soreness earlier in August, which caused him to push back a start.
While he managed to return to the mound for two appearances, something didn’t feel right.
In his most recent outing against the Washington Nationals, he threw just five innings and noticed his velocity was dipping.
Phillies head athletic trainer Paul Buchheit explained: “Zack had been feeling better after his right shoulder soreness, but yesterday some symptoms had changed. He felt a little heaviness.
The doctors here were great in helping to diagnose and expediting that diagnosis this morning.”
Further testing is now scheduled, and depending on the results, Wheeler could be moved to the 60-day injured list, sidelining him for a much longer stretch.
Dombrowski and Medical Staff React
Phillies GM Dave Dombrowski credited the team’s doctors and medical staff for catching the issue early.
“I commend Paul Buchheit and the doctors for finding this because it could’ve been a much more trying situation than what it is,” he said, while stressing that details are still limited.
Doctors do not believe the clot is connected to Wheeler’s earlier soreness, which makes the situation even more puzzling for the team.
Teammates Show Support for Their Ace
Inside the clubhouse, Wheeler’s teammates reacted with concern but also support.
Pitcher Taijuan Walker admitted, “It’s obviously scary.
We’re praying for him and trying to keep in contact with him. I know he knows we’re all here for him.”
Slugger Kyle Schwarber, who has been leading the team offensively, echoed those sentiments.
“It’s a scary situation, right? We just want to get him back in here and hear from him. Baseball is baseball, but health comes first.
He’s got a family, so we want him healthy for them before anything else.”
Manager Rob Thomson Stays Focused on Health
Manager Rob Thomson admitted the diagnosis has thrown his rotation plans into question, especially since he had been considering running a six-man rotation.
But for now, Wheeler’s health is the only priority.
“We don’t know the timeline,” Thomson said.
“I’m thinking a lot about Zack and his family because it’s not a hamstring injury or something like that.
We’ll figure out the rotation later. People will have to step up.”
Wheeler’s Impact on the Phillies
Since joining the Phillies in December 2019, Wheeler has been a cornerstone of the pitching staff.
His record of 69–37 with a 2.91 ERA has established him as one of the league’s most consistent arms.
This season alone, he’s posted a 10–5 record with a 2.71 ERA, making his absence even more significant.
For the Phillies, the hope now is clear: Wheeler’s health comes before baseball.
The team and its fans will wait anxiously for updates, hoping the ace can make a full recovery and eventually return to the mound in the City of Brotherly Love.
