Philadelphia Phillies star Zack Wheeler was placed on the 15-day injured list after developing a “right upper extremity blood clot.” The team revealed the injury occurred while Wheeler threw 95 pitches against the Washington Nationals last Friday. According to Dr. Michael Jacobs, a retired team physician who previously worked for the Baltimore Orioles, a blood clot is a serious situation that needs immediate treatment.
Jacobs explained that regardless of whether the clot is in an artery or vein, it poses a significant risk to Wheeler’s health. If the issue is with an axillary artery, doctors may try to remove the clot using a wired device. However, if the problem is with a vein, Wheeler would likely need blood thinners to clear the clot.
The treatment of blood clots in baseball players can be challenging, and Jacobs emphasized that it’s crucial to use effective blood thinners for several weeks or months to ensure safe recovery. With no official word on how long Wheeler will be out, the Phillies have recalled Aaron Nola for Sunday’s game against the Washington Nationals. The team currently leads the National League East by five games over the New York Mets.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/sports/phillies-zack-wheeler-dealing-blood-clot-right-arm-retired-mlb-team-physician-weighs