MLB star pitcher Zack Wheeler suffered more brutal health news after a stunning diagnosis left his teammates praying for him.
The Philadelphia Phillies ace pitcher’s medical update comes with just a little more than a month left in the MLB season.
Philadelphia Phillies ace pitcher Zack Wheeler received a gutwrenching health update over the weekend[/caption]
Wheeler with his wife, Dominique, and three kids[/caption]
The Phillies are on a quest to win a second straight NL East title with a 76-54 record, six games better than the second-place New York Mets.
However, the team and the 35-year-old Wheeler received excruciating news over the weekend after suffering from a right upper extremity blood clot.
He needs another operation after undergoing a procedure last week to remove the blood clot from his right shoulder.
Wheeler has officially been diagnosed with venous thoracic outlet syndrome and has been told to undergo surgery, which will take six to eight months and effectively end his season, per the Phillies.
“Zach Wheeler had a follow-up evaluation and received second opinions this week after his successful right upper extremity blood clot removal on Monday, August 18,” the Phillies said in a statement on Saturday.
“Wheeler was diagnosed with venous thoracic outlet syndrome and the recommendation is to undergo thoracic outlet decompression surgery in the coming weeks. Details of the surgery are forthcoming.
“The timeline of recovery from the surgery is generally 6-8 months.”
A blood clot is a rare diagnosis for a healthy and active man with no underlying illness or past medical issues.
But it’s been reported that a clot can be caused by repetitive arm motion, which is something that the right-hander Wheeler does each day during a 162-game season.
Last Sunday, Wheeler’s teammate, starting pitcher Taijuan Walker, expressed his concern about the veteran’s health situation.
“It’s obviously scary. … Obviously we’re praying for him, trying to keep in contact with him,” Walker said.
“But I know that he knows we’re all here for him.”
Slugger and MVP candidate Kyle Schwarber said, “I shot him a text.
“Sounded like everything was getting the tests done and things like that.
Wheeler pitched to a 2.71 ERA and was on his way to being a Cy Young candidate before suffering the season-ending injury[/caption]
“It’s a scary situation, right? … Just want to get him back in there and hear from him.
Earlier this month, Wheeler had a start pushed back due to shoulder soreness before making two more start appearances.
But he noticed a decrease in his velocity and only threw five innings in a start against the Washington Nationals.
Wheeler has been a star pitcher for the Phillies since he arrived on the team in 2020.
The three-time All-Star has a 69-37 record and averaged 2.91 ERA in his Philadelphia tenure.
This season, Wheeler finished with a 10-5 record and a 2.71 ERA.
