Player News

• Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Resumes playing catch

  4D ago • By RotoWire

  Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Monday that Wheeler (shoulder) began playing catch last week, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Wheeler underwent surgery in late September to address venous thoracic outlet syndrome, which had been preceded by an operation in mid-August to remove a blood clot near his right shoulder. Venous thoracic outlet syndrome is considered the less severe of the two TOS diagnoses, but Wheeler remains questionable to be ready for Opening Day. A clearer picture of his timetable should be available during spring training.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE

• Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Surgery set for Sept. 23

  09/13/2025 • By RotoWire

  Wheeler (shoulder) is slated to have thoracic outlet decompression surgery Sept. 23, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports. Wheeler underwent a procedure in mid-August to remove a blood clot near his shoulder, and he's set for a second (and more significant) procedure after being diagnosed with venous thoracic outlet syndrome. The veteran hurler is expected to need six to eight months to recover from the upcoming surgery, which means that he may not be ready for Opening Day next season. However, if all goes well moving forward, Wheeler should be able to return to the mound sometime during the first half of the 2026 campaign.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE

• Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Shifts to 60-day IL

  08/31/2025 • By RotoWire

  The Phillies transferred Wheeler (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday. The transaction was merely a formality, as Wheeler has already been ruled out for the season after recently having a procedure to remove a blood clot near his right shoulder as well as a more significant thoracic outlet decompression surgery. The latter surgery carries an estimated recovery timeline of 6-to-8 months, which could put Wheeler at risk of missing the start of the 2026 season. With Wheeler shifting to the 60-day injured list, the Phillies were able to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for left-hander Tim Mayza (lat), who was claimed off waivers from the Pirates.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE

• Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Needs season-ending surgery

  08/23/2025 • By RotoWire

  The Phillies announced Saturday that Wheeler (shoulder) will undergo season-ending thoracic outlet decompression surgery, Paul Casella of MLB.com reports. He's expected to face a recovery timeline of 6-to-8 months. Wheeler was placed on the injured list a week ago after doctors discovered a blood clot in his throwing shoulder, which he had removed in a procedure Monday. Since then, he's been diagnosed with venous thoracic outlet syndrome, which will require a more significant surgery. Given the estimated 6-to-8-month recovery timeline, Wheeler's availability for Opening Day in 2026 now appears to be in doubt. Before being shut down last week, the 35-year-old righty had been a leading candidate for the 2025 NL Cy Young Award, posting a 10-5 record, 2.71 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 195:33 K:BB across 149.2 innings.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE

• Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Undergoes procedure for blood clot

  08/18/2025 • By RotoWire

  Wheeler (shoulder) underwent a thrombolysis procedure Monday to remove a blood clot in his right upper extremity. According to the Phillies' press release, Wheeler's subsequent treatment plan and timeline to return to game action are yet to be determined. More clarity on the right-hander's situation should be available in the coming days and weeks. With Wheeler sidelined indefinitely, Taijuan Walker will continue to hold down a spot in the Philadelphia rotation as the team's No. 5 starter.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE