The Philadelphia Phillies have placed their star pitcher Zack Wheeler on the 15-day injured list due to a blood clot in his right arm. Dave Dombrowski, the team’s president of baseball operations, revealed the diagnosis after the team’s recent 2-0 loss to the Washington Nationals. Wheeler’s condition, described as a “right upper extremity blood clot,” was discovered by doctors who acted swiftly to address the issue.
Paul Buchheit, the Phillies’ head athletic trainer, noted that Wheeler had experienced some right shoulder soreness before the blood clot incident. Despite feeling better initially, Wheeler reported a sudden heaviness, prompting medical intervention to diagnose the clot promptly. Buchheit clarified that the current situation was likely unrelated to Wheeler’s previous stiffness and mentioned that various treatment options were available, without providing specifics.
Further evaluation of Wheeler’s condition will take place in Philadelphia, as announced by Dombrowski. The 35-year-old pitcher, a three-time All-Star, has been a key player for the Phillies this season, boasting a 10-5 record with a 2.71 ERA and a league-leading 195 strikeouts. Teammate Kyle Schwarber expressed concern for Wheeler’s health, emphasizing the importance of his recovery and well-being.
In response to Wheeler’s absence, the Phillies will activate Aaron Nola from the injured list to start in the upcoming game against the Nationals. Manager Rob Thomson mentioned that the team would maintain a five-man rotation despite initially considering a shift to a six-man rotation with Nola’s return. Thomson highlighted the team’s depth and expressed confidence in the players’ ability to adapt to the situation in Wheeler’s absence.