Wheeler had procedure to address chronic finger issue

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Zack Wheeler underwent a procedure on his right middle finger last Monday (Oct. 12), the Phillies announced. 

It was a fingernail resection. It was successful and Wheeler is expected to be ready for spring training. 

Wheeler had a start pushed back four days in mid-September with the chronic fingernail issue, which dates back to his junior year of high school. He was able to pitch through it for years but the nail ripped off when Wheeler caught it on his pants last month.

He threw 99 mph fastballs in his first inning back, and that return start was his longest of the season, 7⅓ innings against the Mets.

Wheeler gave the Phillies what they paid for in the first season of his five-year, $118 million contract, going 4-2 with a 2.92 ERA in 11 starts. He posted the lowest strikeout rate of his career (6.7 per nine innings), but also his lowest-ever rates of walks (2.0) and home runs (0.4) allowed. Wheeler’s HR/9 mark led the National League. 

Wheeler’s groundball rate soared to 56% from 43% in 2019. He generated 13 double-play balls, second in MLB to Kyle Freeland, who had 14 but made two more starts.

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