![\"Wheeler](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/5c357bc24fc6bcbae78022aef76e3666.jpeg\"\/)
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Wheeler missed the end of the 2025 season due to a blood clot and thoracic outlet syndrome. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST<\/p>\n
The 35-year-old ultimately underwent two separate procedures.<\/p>\n
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\u201cYou have to do a bunch of stuff to [the rib], so I guess it doesn\u2019t decay,\u201d Wheeler told reporters at BayCare Park in Clearwater, Fla., noting that Phillies head trainer Paul Buchheit helped \u201cpreserve\u201d the bone.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just have it sitting in the house.\u201d<\/p>\n
The first procedure was thrombolysis performed by Dr. Paul DiMuzio at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in late August. Weeks later, he underwent thoracic outlet decompression surgery with Dr. Robert Thompson in St. Louis, per The Athletic.<\/a><\/p>\n The second surgery required the removal of his first rib near the right shoulder.<\/p>\n Wheeler, who spent his first five MLB seasons with the Amazin\u2019s, was asked exactly where the rib resides now that he has it.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s in my closet,\u201d a laughing Wheeler said. \u201cIt\u2019s just in a case.\u201d<\/p>\n The right-hander said Dr. Thompson typically waits about a month before returning surgically removed body parts to patients, but expedited the process in his case.<\/p>\n \u201cHe gave it to me in a bag,\u201d Wheeler added. \u201cIt was pretty gross.\u201d<\/p>\n Wheeler has said he will retire at the end of his current contract. JASON SZENES\/ NY POST<\/p>\n The blood clot and subsequent TOS procedure were a scary ordeal, but Wheeler\u2019s recovery is going well.<\/p>\n While Wheeler will not be ready by Opening Day, team president Dave Dombrowski expects the three-time All-Star to be ready soon thereafter.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s going to be long that he\u2019ll be ready,\u201d Dombrowski said Tuesday, according to The Athletic<\/a>.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Before the injury, Wheeler was in the midst of another spectacular season, sporting a 10-5 record with a 2.71 ERA in 24 starts.<\/p>\n Wheeler will be vital to the Phillies\u2019 postseason aspirations, but his days in Philadelphia appear numbered.<\/p>\n![\"Wheeler](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ec07be493db5ec1d533dede6521586a7.jpeg\"\/)
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