There’s no real silver lining in the news Phillies fans got over the weekend regarding His health. The ace will soon undergo thoracic outlet decompression surgery after being diagnosed with venous thoracic outlet syndrome (vTOS).
While the condition sounds severe—and it is—MLB.com’s Paul Casella notes that vTOS generally has a more favorable long-term outlook than neurogenic TOS (nTOS), the nerve-related version that has derailed the careers of several pitchers.
The surgery announcement followed an earlier procedure to remove a blood clot near Wheeler’s right shoulder and officially ends his 2025 season. After seeking multiple medical opinions, doctors determined Wheeler needed decompression surgery, which involves removing a rib to ease pressure on the subclavian vein—the vessel that moves blood from the arm to the heart, per the Cleveland Clinic.
Zack Wheeler’s surgery still serious but not as scary as the other version of TOS
A notable player who underwent the same surgery as Wheeler is Merrill Kelly, who had the procedure in September 2020 and returned to make 27 starts in 2021, according to Casella. Another high-profile case is Washington Nationals star Stephen Strasburg, who had the surgery for neurogenic TOS — a different type than Wheeler’s — and we all know how his recovery unfolded.
Wheeler is expected to need 6–8 months to recover. Phillies head athletic trainer Paul Buchheit offered some encouraging insights over the weekend regarding Wheeler’s timeline.
“Recovery can vary,” Buchheit explained, per Casella. “In Wheeler’s case, it was more of an acute problem, which is beneficial since he hadn’t been dealing with it for an extended period before surgery.”
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski also expressed optimism, as reported by Matt Gelb of The Athletic (subscription required).
“We anticipate he’ll return within six to eight months and be the same Zack Wheeler we know,” Dombrowski said. “That’s the information we’ve received. Barring any unforeseen issues, he should be able to pitch at his previous level.”
Ultimately, Phillies fans hope Wheeler can fully recover for his own health and his family’s well-being. Once that’s achieved, everyone will be eagerly awaiting his return to the mound, where he has consistently dominated MLB lineups.
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