Phillies place Zack Wheeler on 15-day IL with blood clot in shoulder

The Philadelphia Phillies placed ace Zack Wheeler on the 15-day injured list after diagnosing a blood clot in the right upper extremity near his shoulder. The team provided no timetable for his return, saying he will undergo further testing and evaluation in Philadelphia. The news comes with the Phillies navigating a tightening playoff race, as they hold a five-game lead in the National League East while Wheeler’s condition creates immediate rotation questions and a potential longer absence.

The diagnosis crowns a troubling turn for Wheeler, who has been one of the most effective pitchers in baseball this season. At 35, Wheeler has posted a 2.71 ERA across 24 starts, with 195 strikeouts in 149.2 innings, leading the majors in strikeouts and ranking among the league’s top pitchers in several metrics. The Phillies announced the IL designation after Wheeler had been dealing with shoulder soreness that escalated into a heavier feeling in the arm, culminating in a Friday start that he completed only five innings. The team’s medical staff quickly identified the blood clot and arranged for immediate, thorough assessment.

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said...