Phillies: Zack Wheeler’s season is over

Currently sitting comfortably atop the National League's Eastern Section, six games ahead of the New York Mets and aiming for a second consecutive division title, the Philadelphia Phillies are aiming for big things in 2025.

But their quest to win their first World Series title since 2008 won't be without its pitfalls.

Starter Zach Wheeler will miss the rest of the season after being diagnosed with a rare blood clotting disorder called thoracic venous outlet syndrome, the team announced this afternoon (Saturday).

Wheeler had undergone surgery to remove a blood clot in his right arm earlier this week.

The recommendation is now to undergo thoracic outlet decompression surgery in the coming weeks, with details of the operation to come. What is known for now is that he is expected to miss six to eight months of activity.

The 35-year-old led the National League in strikeouts (195) and WHIP (0.94). His 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings was also a Major League Baseball record.

Wheeler finished second in the National League Cy Young Trophy voting on two occasions. First in 2021 when he led the league in strikeouts, complete games and innings pitched, and last season when he finished second to Chris Sale.

Gunner last pitched on August 15, earning a no-decision in five innings of work in a 6-2 win over the Washington Nationals.

A tough blow in the city of brotherly love.

This content was created with the help of AI.