Just when one star player is set to return, another is going to miss some time.

With Bryce Harper set to return to the lineup Friday for the first time since fracturing his thumb two months ago, the Phillies waited until just before game time Thursday to drop this bomb:

Wheeler was slated to pitch the opener of the Phillies series this weekend against the Pirates on Friday. He will be replaced by Bailey Falter.

Phillies G.M. Dave Dombrowski apparently called the move “precautionary,” in a meeting with a select group of reporters (we were not among the privileged few who got the ear whisper from the team). Allegedly, he added that Wheeler still wanted to pitch Friday, but the Phillies thought it best for him to just take a breather, miss two starts and then return.

Wheeler leads the Phillies in wins (11) and ERA (3.07) but didn’t look nearly as dominant against the New York Mets in his last two starts, as he had the rest of the season. Wheeler yielded 10 runs and 14 hits in those two starts in just 11 1/3 innings.

By contrast, Wheeler had allowed just 11 runs in his previous seven starts.

The Phillies already lost Corey Knebel for the season with a torn shoulder capsule and are holding their breath that Seranthony Dominguez will be able to come off the injured list on September 2nd in what was another “precautionary” move with right triceps tendinitis.

If the Phillies are to miss either Dominguez, or Wheeler, or both, for any extended period of time beyond these short IL stints, it would put a major crimp in their playoff aspirations.

Wheeler is eligible to come off the IL on September 6.