Philadelphia Phillies star Zack Wheeler will be out of action for the remainder of 2025 MLB season following a ‘scary’ diagnosis.
The 35-year-old has been told he needs another operation, after already going through a procedure to remove a blood clot from his right shoulder.
Wheeler, who uses his right arm to pitch, faces the additional operation after being diagnosed with venous thoracic outlet syndrome.
In simple terms, one of the veins in Wheeler’s right arm is suffering from compression. A procedure to fix the issue will see him out of action for up to eight months.
Phillies medical update on Zack Wheeler pic.twitter.com/JnnEAz4cMZ
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 23, 2025
Confirming the news in a statement, Phillies said: “Zack Wheeler had a follow-up evaluation and received second opinions this week after his successful right upper extremity blood clot removal on Monday, August 18.
“Wheeler was diagnosed with venous thoracic outlet syndrome and the recommendation is to undergo thoracic outlet decompression surgery in the coming weeks. Details of the surgery are forthcoming.
“The timeline of recovery from the surgery is generally 6-8 months.”
Phillies teammate speaks out on injury update
Wheeler’s teammate Taijuan Walker has spoken out about the injury update.
“It’s obviously scary,” he said. “Obviously, we’re praying for him, trying to keep in contact with him. But I know that he knows we’re all here for him.”
Elsewhere, Phillies general manager Dave Dombrowski praised the medical team.
He told reporters: “I commend [head athletic trainer) Paul Buchheit and the doctors for finding this because it could’ve been a much more trying situation than what it is.”
The injury setback comes at a bad time for Wheeler who was enjoying a spectacular return to form.
The Phillies star is a three-time All-Star, with two of those honors coming in the last couple of seasons.
Wheeler’s absence also comes at a bad time for the team, who are being tipped as one of the leading World Series contenders.
Phillies are leading the NL East by six games over second-placed New York Mets, with a record of 74-54.
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