PHILADELPHIA— After their defeat to the Washington Nationals Saturday evening, the baseball world was stunned when news broke surrounding Phillies starter Zack Wheeler.
Wheeler, a potential Cy Young award candidate was placed on the Injured List with an upper right extremity blood clot. The news was sudden and shocking, and Wheeler quickly left the team to head back to Philadelphia for further treatment.
On Monday afternoon, the Phillies announced that Wheeler underwent a successful thrombolysis procedure to remove the blood clot. The surgery went well and the Phillies’ ace on track to make a full recovery.
Phillies update Wheeler’s status
There were two big questions asked to Rob Thomson prior to Monday’s game against the Seattle Mariners. Will Zack Wheeler pitch again this season? Is this a career threatening injury?
”I don’t know.” replied the Phillies’ skipper. “My thoughts are just about him,” Thomson continued, “This is real. My thoughts are constantly on him and his family.”
When asked how the team was taking the news, their manager showcased faith and appreciate for his clubhouse. “I think as good as you can, because it is tough, but these guys came out the last two days with some energy, and it seemed like the clubhouse was pretty normal, and that’s a good sign.”
Thomson and the Phillies will maintain their 5-man rotation moving forward. The plan was initially was to move to a 6-man rotation to allow for the starting pitchers to get more rest. With the Wheeler news, the team essentially has plugged Aaron Nola into his spot.
With uncertainly surrounding their ace, the Philadelphia Phillies will have to band together to get the job done. They are heading into the most important six weeks of their season and will have to take it one day at a time.
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
