Overview

• After reporting right-arm heaviness, Wheeler was placed on the injured list for a blood clot and underwent a thrombolysis procedure on Aug. 18 to remove it.
• Multiple specialists recommended thoracic outlet decompression, a surgery that typically involves removing part of a rib to relieve vascular compression.
• Team president Dave Dombrowski expressed confidence that Wheeler will pitch again, and Wheeler posted a message thanking fans and targeting a 2026 return.
• The Phillies will lean on Cristopher Sánchez, Ranger Suárez, Jesús Luzardo, Aaron Nola and Taijuan Walker, with top prospect Andrew Painter a possible reinforcement.
• Wheeler’s 2025 ends at 10-5 with a 2.71 ERA and an NL-leading 195 strikeouts, as Philadelphia maintains a six-game NL East lead.