Phillies' Wheeler ends 2025 season after blood-clot surgery

The Philadelphia Phillies are facing an abrupt disruption to their pitching staff after ace Zack Wheeler underwent surgery to remove a blood clot near his throwing shoulder. The team disclosed that Wheeler was placed on the 15-day injured list after experiencing worsening soreness in his right arm, and that a thrombolysis procedure to dissolve the clot was performed successfully on Monday. While the club did not provide a precise timeline for Wheeler’s return, the seriousness of the condition is clear, and the immediate focus centers on his health and rehabilitation.

The thrombolysis procedure was conducted at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital by Dr. Paul DiMuzio, a development that followed Wheeler’s initial diagnosis when the blood clot was detected after a start Friday night. Wheeler, who turned 35 this year, has been one of the National League’s most productive pitchers this season, posting a 2.71 ERA across 24 starts and leading the NL with 195 strikeouts in 149.2 innings. He also earned his third All-Star selection and appeared to be among the top contenders for the Cy Young Award before the injury sidelined him.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson acknowledged the uncertainty...