Latest news with #bloodclot
National Post
a day ago
- Sport
- National Post
Phillies ace Wheeler out indefinitely after surgery to remove blood clot in arm
PHILADELPHIA — Phillies ace Zack Wheeler had surgery Monday to remove a blood clot in his upper right arm, and the team says a timeline for his recovery remains unknown. Article content Manager Rob Thomson acknowledged the uncertainty, saying, 'We don't know,' when asked whether Wheeler would pitch again this season, or if the situation was career-threatening. Article content Article content The Phillies said Wheeler underwent a thrombolysis procedure by Dr. Paul DiMuzio at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Article content Wheeler, 35, a three-time All-Star currently leading the majors with 195 strikeouts, was placed on the injured list Saturday after experiencing worsening shoulder 'heaviness' following his start in Washington the previous night. Article content His condition fell under the realm of thoracic outlet syndrome, a known risk for overhead-throwing athletes, where compressed blood vessels or nerves near the neck can lead to clot formation. Article content Treatment options vary depending on the root cause. In addition to clot-dissolving procedures, athletes often undergo extended blood thinner therapy — spanning months — or even rib resection surgery to prevent recurrence, with high return-to-play rates in cases where such interventions are successful. Article content Article content Meanwhile, the Phillies are left without the anchor of their rotation with six weeks to go in the regular season. The NL East leaders are leaning on a group of arms, including Cristopher Sanchez, Ranger Suarez, Taijuan Walker and Jesus Luzardo, to fill the void. Aaron Nola, who missed three months with ankle and rib injuries, returned to the rotation on Sunday. Article content 'You could always rely on (Wheeler) every fifth day, but at the same time, I have confidence in our entire rotation,' Thomson said. 'As tough as it is to lose Zack, I feel really good about our staff. I really do.' Article content
Reuters
a day ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Phillies RHP Zack Wheeler undergoes surgery, return uncertain
August 18 - Zack Wheeler underwent surgery and his return to the Philadelphia Phillies for the postseason is unclear after manager Rob Thomson said he has "no timetable" for the right-hander's return. The Phillies announced Wheeler had a successful "thrombolysis procedure to remove a blood clot in his right upper extremity" on Monday. There were no immediate answers to when Wheeler would be back on the mound or if additional treatment could be necessary. "I'm thinking a lot about Zack and his family because this is not a hamstring injury or something like that," Thomson said. Wheeler was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to a blood clot located near his right shoulder. He previously missed another start and was subtracted from the rotation one day after he allowed two runs on four hits over five innings in Friday's 6-2 win over the Washington Nationals. It also came as the Phillies were working Aaron Nola back into the starting mix following three months on the IL, with plans to utilize a six-man rotation. "There's not a whole lot we can say on it at this time," team president Dave Dombrowski said Saturday. Wheeler was an All-Star each of the past two seasons. In six seasons with the Phillies, the right-hander is 69-37 with a 2.91 ERA and 1,094 strikeouts to 220 walks in 979 innings. In 24 starts this season, he is 10-5 with a 2.71 ERA and a National League-leading 195 strikeouts. Before arriving in Philadelphia, Wheeler spent five seasons with the New York Mets. Nola was activated from the 60-day IL on Sunday morning. He will take over the vacant spot in a traditional five-man rotation. Nola, a former All-Star, posted a 3.57 ERA in 33 starts last season, but he got off to a rough start in 2025 and has a 6.92 ERA through 10 starts. He has battled ankle and rib injuries. --Field Level Media
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Phillies ace headed to injured list with blood clot
Phillies ace Zack Wheeler was placed on the injured list on Saturday with an 'upper extremity blood clot,' Phillies President Dave Dombrowski told media in Washington after the 2-0 loss to the Washington Nationals. There is no timetable for his return, according to head trainer Paul Buchheit, who noted the clot was in the area of Wheeler's shoulder. Buchheit said a prognosis and treatment plan wouldn't be available until after further evaluation. Dombrowski said Wheeler will be evaluated more in Philadelphia. Wheeler pitched five innings of two-run ball in the Phillies' 6-2 win on Friday. His velocity had ticked up from previous outings. Two starts ago, Wheeler was pushed back two days because of increased soreness in his shoulder area. Aaron Nola, who has been on the injured list since May with ankle and rib injuries, will be activated to start Sunday's game. He had been scheduled to return before Wheeler's diagnosis. Buchheit didn't believe the clot was related to his previous soreness. Wheeler has a 10-5 record and 2.71 ERA. He was selected for his third All-Star team this year but opted not to paricipate. Wheeler has finished second in the National League Cy Young Award race in the last four seasons, including last year. Nola will essentially take Wheeler's spot in the rotation. The Phillies were using a six-man rotation this time through but will revert back to a five-man with Nola joining Ranger Suarez, Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo and Taijuan Walker. Wheeler has also been one of the best postseason pitchers of this generation. The Phillies made it to the World Series in 2022 after Wheeler missed a month at the end of the season, but he came back in time to anchor the playoff run. Bill Evans can be reached atbevans@ Follow him at@bybillevans.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Phillies Zack Wheeler has surgery to remove blood clot
PHILADELPHIA - Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler had a successful thrombolysis procedure to remove a blood clot in his right upper extremity by Dr. Paul DiMuzio at Thomas Jefferson Hospital on Monday, the Phillies announced. The club said further treatment and a subsequent timeline of recovery will be determined. Wheeler was placed on the injured list on Saturday after the blood clot was discovered while the Phillies were in Washington, D.C. for a series with the Nationals. Wheeler felt 'heaviness' in the shoulder the day after allowing two runs in five innings of a 6-2 win over the Nationals the day before. The 35-year-old right-hander was 10-5 with a 2.71 ERA and made his third All-Star team this season. He has finished second in the National League Cy Young voting two of the last four years, including last season. 'He's the heart of our team, the heart of our staff,' said Phillies reliever Matt Strahm, who lockers next to Wheeler. Wheeler had struggled over the last month and reported shoulder soreness in July that Phillies head trainer Paul Buchheit told reporters in Washington was likely unrelated to the blood clot. The loss of Wheeler is a huge blow to the Phillies, who lead the Mets in the National League East by five games and are tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the No. 2 seed in the National League. 'A lot of people ask me about the pitching staff, and the team and right now my thoughts are just about him,' said Phillies manager Rob Thomson. 'This isn't a hamstring or a calf. This is life. Hopefully everything works out, but so far so good.' They welcomed Aaron Nola back to the rotation on Sunday after he missed three months with ankle and rib injuries, though he gave up six runs in less than three innings. The Phillies start a six-game homestand with the Seattle Mariners on Monday. Bill Evans can be reached atbevans@ Follow him at@bybillevans.
Washington Post
a day ago
- Health
- Washington Post
Phillies' Zack Wheeler has surgery to remove blood clot in upper right arm
PHILADELPHIA — Phillies ace Zack Wheeler had surgery Monday to remove a blood clot in his upper right arm, and the team says a timeline for his recovery remains unknown. Manager Rob Thomson acknowledged the uncertainty, saying, 'We don't know,' when asked whether Wheeler would pitch again this season, or if the situation was career-threatening.
