Phillies Ace Zack Wheeler Keeps His Removed Rib in a Closet. Seriously!

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler revealed that he has been keeping the removed portion of his rib in a closet at home following September surgery to eliminate a blood clot and part of a rib that was causing him discomfort. The revelation came during an interview where the ace pitcher explained his unusual decision to preserve the medical souvenir as a reminder of his recovery journey. The 33-year-old All-Star pitcher underwent the surgical procedure in September to address a condition that had been affecting his performance on the mound. The blood clot, combined with a rib that was causing irritation, required medical intervention that sidelined him for several weeks. Wheeler, who has been with the Phillies since 2021 and was instrumental in their 2022 World Series run, explained that he initially thought little of what to do with the removed rib until he decided to preserve it as a unique memento of his athletic resilience. 'I just put it in a little bag and stuck it in my closet,' Wheeler shared with reporters during spring training. 'I don't really know why I kept it, just seemed like something interesting to have. It's not like I look at it every day or anything.' Medical professionals note that while unusual, keeping removed body parts as keepsakes is not unheard of among patients who undergo surgery.