It’s not closure, and it’s not certainty, but it’s something close to both. The Phillies and their fans now know why Zack Wheeler won’t pitch for them again this year. Last week he was found to have a blood clot on the right side of his upper body.

Zack Wheeler, whose season is over after requiring major surgery for his injury, received a heartfelt message from the Phillies.

The Philadelphia Phillies will not have their ace the rest of 2025. Right-hander Zack Wheeler will have surgery to treat venous thoracic outlet, the team announced Saturday. The surgery typically comes with a 6-8 month recovery, meaning Wheeler's availability for the start of 2026 could be impacted. He last appeared in a game on Aug. 15.