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The Philadelphia Phillies organization held its breath after Zack Wheeler reported shoulder soreness and needed to undergo an MRI after his 10-strikeout performance on Aug. 2.
However, the organization and Phillies fans can breathe a sigh of relief after manager Rob Thomson gave an encouraging update after simply just bumping back his next start to Sunday, Aug. 10.
“It’s clean,” Thomson told Matt Gelb of The Athletic.”
Thomson was also very brief when asked if there was any thought of skipping his start entirely or adding a sixth member of the rotation.
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“No, because he’s fine,” Thomson told Gelb.
It’s a breath of fresh air for the Phillies and their fans as Wheeler has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season. Wheeler also hasn’t been his normal self since he pitched the complete game on July 6 against the Cincinnati Reds.
The goal is, with two days of extra rest, to help the Phillies’ ace get through a tough patch of the season. To say Thomson and the rest of the team rely on him is an understatement. Philadelphia needs him to stay healthy and get back to his old ways with the division race far from over.
Wheeler declined to speak on Wednesday after he played catch with some teammates to test how his arm was feeling. Given that he is in an unusual position, it makes sense for him not to talk. But the words from his manager are what Phillies fans want to hear.
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