Phillies SP Zack Wheeler and Red Sox 3B Marcelo Mayer out long term with injuries

Zack Wheeler (YouTube)

Well, it appears the Philadelphia Phillies are going back to a five man rotation, and the reason is because of a shocking injury to one of their most recognizable starters. On Friday, we reported that the Phillies were expected Aaron Nola to return, and the team would have a six-man rotation. As we know things can change quickly, and on Saturday, the Phillies announced that starting pitcher Zack Wheeler of Smyrna, Georgia would be out long term with a blood clot in his arm, and as a result had successful surgery on Monday. There is no timetable for Wheeler’s return.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox also have news to report. Rookie third baseman Marcelo Mayer of Chula Vista, California is out for the year with wrist surgery. The Red Sox also announced the signing of first baseman Nathaniel Lowe of Norfolk, Virginia, who was put on waivers by the Washington Nationals.

Wheeler was enjoying a fantastic season for the Phillies. The three-time All-Star was leading the National League with 195 strikeouts and a 0.94 WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched). Wheeler had a record of 10 wins and five losses with an earned run average of 2.71.

Mayer was batting .228 with four home runs and 10 runs batted in. He scored 20 runs, and had 29 hits, eight doubles, one triple, eight walks, 51 total bases, an on base percentage of .272, and a slugging percentage of .402.

Lowe is joining his fourth Major League team after two seasons in Tampa Bay, four seasons in Texas (where he won the 2023 World Series), and this season with Washington. In 2025 with the Nationals, Lowe was batting .216 with 16 home runs and 68 runs batted in. He scored 50 runs and had 95 hits, 17 doubles, two triples, one stolen base, 47 walks, 164 total bases, and two sacrifice flies. Lowe had an on base percentage of .292 and a slugging percentage of .373. The stolen base came in a 3-0 Nationals win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 15.