The Philadelphia Phillies are suddenly facing existential questions about their pitching staff.

After opening the season with the deepest and most effective starting rotation in the sport, the Phillies lost veteran starter Aaron Nola to a rare stint on the injured list. And just as Nola prepared to return to the team, franchise ace Zack Wheeler was placed on the injured list with a blood clot near his shoulder.

The team could now find itself without Wheeler for the rest of the season and it's far from certain that Nola can reestablish himself as a capable playoff starter. As the team faces those obstacles in the rotation, though, dependable reliever Matt Strahm is surging toward some pleasant contract upgrades following an extension he signed last year.

"Strahm's extension with the Phil

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