Phillies' Zack Wheeler Keeps Surgically Removed Rib as Souvenir

The ace pitcher says he has the 'gross' bone sitting in a case in his closet.

Feb. 11, 2026 at 8:23pm

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Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler revealed that he kept the rib that was surgically removed during his procedure to address thoracic outlet syndrome last year. Wheeler said the doctor gave him the bone in a bag, which he described as 'pretty gross,' and he now has it sitting in a case in his closet at home.

Why it matters

Wheeler's injury and subsequent surgeries were a significant setback for the Phillies, who were counting on the three-time All-Star to be a key part of their rotation. The fact that Wheeler kept the removed rib as a souvenir provides an interesting and unusual glimpse into an athlete's recovery process.

The details

Wheeler underwent two procedures to address the issues with his right shoulder - first a thrombolysis procedure in late August, followed by thoracic outlet decompression surgery in September that required the removal of his first rib. Wheeler said the Phillies' head trainer helped preserve the rib, which the doctor typically waits about a month to return to patients, but expedited the process in Wheeler's case.

  • In late August 2025, Wheeler underwent a thrombolysis procedure.
  • In September 2025, Wheeler underwent thoracic outlet decompression surgery that required the removal of his first rib.

The players

Zack Wheeler

A 35-year-old right-handed pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies who spent his first five MLB seasons with the New York Mets.

Paul Buchheit

The head athletic trainer for the Philadelphia Phillies who helped preserve Wheeler's surgically removed rib.

Paul DiMuzio

The doctor who performed the thrombolysis procedure on Wheeler at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Robert Thompson

The doctor who performed the thoracic outlet decompression surgery on Wheeler in St. Louis that required the removal of his first rib.

Dave Dombrowski

The president of baseball operations for the Philadelphia Phillies.

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What they’re saying

“You have to do a bunch of stuff to [the rib], so I guess it doesn't decay. I just have it sitting in the house.”

— Zack Wheeler, Phillies Pitcher

“It's in my closet. It's just in a case.”

— Zack Wheeler, Phillies Pitcher

“He gave it to me in a bag. It was pretty gross.”

— Zack Wheeler, Phillies Pitcher

“I don't think it's going to be long that he'll be ready.”

— Dave Dombrowski, Phillies President of Baseball Operations

What’s next

The Phillies expect Wheeler to be ready to return to the team soon after Opening Day, though he will not be ready by the start of the season.

The takeaway

Wheeler's decision to keep his surgically removed rib as a souvenir provides an unusual and personal look at an athlete's recovery process, highlighting the physical toll of major injuries and procedures in professional sports.