Zack Wheeler diagnosed with blood clot, lands on IL in scary Phillies blow
Zack Wheeler was placed on the injured list with a blood clot in his 'upper extremity' near his throwing shoulder, The Athletic first reported.
ESPN added that there is no timetable for his return.
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Wheeler, 35, pitched Friday night in the Phillies' win over the Nationals, going five innings while striking out six and allowing two runs.
Zack Wheeler of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches in the first inning during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 15, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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Wheeler's velocity didn't take any noticeable dip in his outing, as he hit 95.7 mph on his final pitch — his 97th — of the night.
The right-hander had been up and down over the last two months, posting a 3.82 ERA since the start of July.
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'It's been iffy. Today was a little bit better,' Wheeler said after Friday's outing, according to USA Today. 'I was able to throw high without trying to throw it high. Once I get the full feel for that back, I think everything will fall into place.
'All around, good day for the most part.'
Wheeler, an All-Star this year, has been a perennial Cy Young candidate since he left the Mets to sign with the Phillies in 2020.
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Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) throws during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Despite an uneven stretch this summer, he holds a 2.71 ERA with an MLB-leading 195 strikeouts across 149 ⅔ innings.
Wheeler has thrown at least 190 innings in three of the last four years, but the stint on the injured list will likely keep him from reaching that plateau this year.
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