Zack Wheeler, the Philadelphia Phillies ace, disclosed that he kept a rib removed during a surgical procedure on his right shoulder in September. The 35-year-old right-hander, previously a starter for the New York Mets, underwent this surgery after being sidelined in August due to a blood clot near his right shoulder, which was later diagnosed as thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS).
Medical Procedures and Rib Removal Explained
Wheeler’s medical treatment involved two key procedures. The first was a thrombolysis performed in late August at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital by Dr. Paul DiMuzio to address the clot. Weeks later, he had thoracic outlet decompression surgery in St. Louis with Dr. Robert Thompson, which required removal of the first rib near his right shoulder. This rib is not typically discarded in standard surgery and is sometimes given to patients post-operation.
The Story Behind Wheeler Keeping the Rib
During a media session at BayCare Park in Clearwater, Fla., Wheeler revealed the unusual detail of keeping the surgically excised rib. Phillies head trainer Paul Buchheit assisted in preserving the bone.
“You have to do a bunch of stuff to [the rib], so I guess it doesn’t decay,”
Wheeler explained. When asked where the rib is stored, he replied with a laugh,
“It’s in my closet. It’s just in a case.”
Wheeler also noted that Dr. Thompson typically waits about a month before returning removed bones to patients but expedited the process in his case.
“He gave it to me in a bag,”
Wheeler said. “It was pretty gross.”
Recovery Status and Team Expectations
Although the blood clot and ensuing TOS surgery were serious health challenges, Wheeler’s recovery is making steady progress. Team president Dave Dombrowski anticipates that the three-time All-Star won’t be ready by Opening Day but should return soon afterward.
“I don’t think it’s going to be long that he’ll be ready,”
Dombrowski told reporters.
Before his injury, Wheeler was enjoying another strong season, holding a 10-5 record with a 2.71 ERA over 24 starts. His performance is expected to be crucial for the Phillies’ postseason goals, even as his time with Philadelphia appears limited.
Wheeler’s Future Plans Beyond Baseball
Months prior to the blood clot diagnosis, Wheeler expressed a clear retirement timeline. Despite being an elite pitcher, he indicated plans to retire once his three-year, $126 million contract extension signed in March 2024 concludes. When asked about walking away from baseball, Wheeler was direct, saying,
“It’ll be easy to walk away.”
Zack Wheeler casually admits he has his rib just chillin' in his closet. 😂 pic.twitter.com/z97DN2fZqK
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) February 11, 2026
