The city of PhiladelphiaThe Philadelphia Phillies announced on Saturday that Zack Wheeler would be out for six to eight months following thoracic outlet decompression surgery.
Earlier this week, Wheeler underwent surgery to remove a blood clot from his right upper extremity.
Wheeler is anticipated to fully recover, according to Phillies trainer Paul Buchheit and CEO Dave Dombrowski. Wheeler should be ready early next season based on the timeline.
According to head trainer Paul Buchheit, he had venous thoracic outlet syndrome, which is not the same as neurological thoracic outlet syndrome. The healing process may be a little different, and the fact that he hadn’t been dealing with this for a long time makes it an urgent problem that benefits him. He has a very favorable prognosis, according to surgeons.
Wheeler might begin throwing as soon as eight weeks following the treatment, according to Buchheit.
According to Dombrowski, he will return in six to eight months and be the Zack Wheeler of the past. We have been told that. He will be able to return and pitch like he did before this, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
The right-hander, 35, was having yet another fantastic season. He had placed second in the National League Cy Young voting two of the last four years. He made his third All-Star team and is 10-5 with a 2.71 ERA.
Wheeler and Cristopher Sanchez appeared to be the Phillies’ starting pitchers heading into the postseason until the blood clot was discovered during a checkup in Washington a week ago.
Without their star player at the top, they are far less effective in the starting rotation. The Phillies’ rotation also includes Taijuan Walker, Aaron Nola, Jesus Luzardo, and Ranger Suarez in addition to Sanchez.
Although Nola has extensive playoff history and will be making his second start on Saturday after missing many months due to ankle and knee ailments, Suarez and Luzardo now seem to be the No. 2 and No. 3 starters in a postseason rotation.
Wheeler’s postseason record in 12 games is 2.18.
“You’re never going to replace a pitcher like that,” Dombrowski said, adding that while losing a Zack Wheeler is never ideal, we have starting pitching depth that can pitch effectively for us. I’ve experienced a variety of scenarios involving pitchers being out, and while our ballclub is good, it’s up to others to cover for us.
Rob Thomson, the manager of the Phillies, stated that he had been playing as though Wheeler wouldn’t return this season.
“What matters is that he is healthy,” Thomson stated. We have a lot of depth here, but it’s terrible to lose him. I find the timeline of six to eight months to be optimistic.
We’ve launched our offensive. They responded nicely to Wheeler’s absence, and the three lefties pitched effectively. Tai got us through five innings yesterday, and we’ll see how Noles fares today.
A six-man rotation was explored by the Phillies before to Wheeler’s injury. When rosters expand on September 1st, Thomson stated that they might still proceed in that route.
Wheeler’s contract is still in effect for another two years. While Suarez is a free agent and top prospect Andrew Painter may be ready early in the upcoming season, Nola, Walker, Luzardo, and Sanchez are all bound by contracts for the following year.
Dombrowski stated that he has not considered how Wheeler’s prognosis may impact his plans for the offseason.
Thomson is hopeful that Wheeler will return to the locker room this season.
