Thursday, November 05, 2026
35.0°F

Phils setback: Zack Wheeler rips nail putting on his pants

AP Sports Writer | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 years, 1 month AGO
by AP Sports Writer
| September 12, 2020 12:06 AM

MIAMI (AP) — Undefeated Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler ripped a fingernail putting on his pants, delaying his next start for two days and perhaps longer.

Wheeler might lose the nail on the middle finger of his right hand.

“Just one of those stupid things,” he said Friday. “I tripped a little bit, I lost my balance, and my jeans yanked out of my hand.”

Wheeler, 4-0 with a 2.47 ERA in eight starts, had been scheduled to pitch Saturday in Miami. That start has been pushed back to Monday, which is probably wishful thinking, manager Joe Girardi said.

For now, Wheeler’s finger is swollen, sore and taped.

“We don’t think it’s a DL thing, but it depends on what happens to the nail,” Girardi said. "He had a good day today with treatment.”

Wheeler planned to throw a side session Saturday.

He said the nail has been an issue throughout his career, and it’s prone to catch on things. He hurt it Wednesday shortly after the team arrived in Miami.

“It’s just going to be a day to day thing,” he said. “We’ll see how the soreness goes, and see how this thing starts healing up.”

Spencer Howard is scheduled to start in place of Wheeler on Saturday.

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ARTICLES BY AP SPORTS WRITER

October 10, 2020 1:06 p.m.

Spiller helps No. 21 A&M upset No. 4 Florida 41-38

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Isaiah Spiller rushed for 174 yards and two touchdowns, and No. 21 Texas A&M beat fourth-ranked Florida 41-38 on Seth Small's 26-yard field goal as time expired Saturday.

October 10, 2020 12:10 a.m.

No. 15 BYU's attention on UTSA, not rise in rankings

The directive this week for No. 15 BYU: Fixate only on UTSA, not that continual rise in the rankings.

October 10, 2020 12:10 a.m.

Ryan Neal making most of his chance as starter with Seahawks

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Ryan Neal understands this isn’t likely to last.