Zack Wheeler thanks Phillies fans for support after TOS diagnosis

PHILADELPHIA — Zack Wheeler released a statement on Instagram, thanking Phillies fans for their well-wishes and expressing his excitement to get back on the mound in 2026.

“Thank you for all the support this season. It means the world to me and my family.

“As many of you know, I’ll be having surgery in the coming weeks, which means I’ll miss the rest of the 2025 season. It’s tough news, but I’m so grateful for all the love and well-wishes I’ve already received.

“I’m locked in on the work ahead and can’t wait to be back in 2026, ready to give everything I’ve got for this team and this city.

“Thanks for riding with us through it all.”

The club announced on Saturday that Wheeler was diagnosed with venous thoracic outlet syndrome. He will miss the remainder of the 2025 season and undergo thoracic outlet decompression surgery “in the coming weeks.” The estimated timetable for return to play after surgery is six to eight months.

Wheeler’s last start of the season came on Aug. 15 against the Washington Nationals. He had been battling more right shoulder soreness than usual in recent weeks, but the right-hander reported heaviness in that same shoulder after the outing.

He was placed on the 15-day injured list the next day with a right upper extremity blood clot. Wheeler underwent a procedure to remove the blood clot on Monday, Aug. 18. The team will likely move him to the 60-day IL whenever a need for an extra 40-man roster spot arises.

Wheeler’s TOS diagnosis ends a sixth consecutive brilliant season from him on the mound for the Phillies. He went 10-5 with a 2.71 ERA and 195 strikeouts in 149 2/3 innings.