Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler was knocked out for the remainder of the 2025 MLB campaign in August due to thoracic outlet syndrome, which is essentially a blood clot.
It was certainly a scary moment for Wheeler, who underwent surgery to repair the issue and is expected to be sidelined at least through the early stages of 2026.
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But Phillies president Dave Dombrowski recently revealed some good news on Wheeler’s progression, noting that the three-time All-Star has been working with athletic trainer Paul Buchheit to get himself back into form.
“Paul’s got him coming in three times a week, which he needs to do,” Dombrowski said, via Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic. “And not only (playing) catch, but he needs to strengthen some muscles because he hasn’t used them, which is normal. But everything’s been encouraging. The doctors signed off for him to continue to move forward.”
That’s definitely positive news, but as for whether or not Wheeler will ultimately make a quick recovery? Dombrowski was more diplomatic.
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler. Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images.
“We will not push him to be ready other than what the doctors tell us to do,” Dombrowski said.
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Wheeler went 10-5 with a 2.71 ERA while allowing 107 hits and racking up 195 strikeouts over 149.2 innings of work this past year.
The 36-year-old originally arrived in Philadelphia back in December 2019 when he signed with the Phillies in free agency. Wheeler then signed a three-year extension with Philadelphia in March 2024.
Wheeler has enjoyed a very successful run with the Phillies, having posted a 2.91 ERA, 2.96 FIP and 1.016 WHIP across six seasons in the City of Brotherly Love.
All three of Wheeler’s All-Star appearances have come in Philadelphia.
The right-hander began his big-league career with the New York Mets in 2013 and spent seven seasons with the Phillies’ NL East foe, but struggled with injuries much of the time.
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Wheeler has actually been incredibly durable throughout most of his tenure in Philly, but he is certainly facing a tough road to recovery now.
The former first-round pick of the San Francisco Giants is the ace of the Phillies’ staff, so him getting back 100 percent is absolutely paramount to the team’s success.