The Philadelphia Phillies don’t want to give the impression that they are simply standing pat after suffering a second straight postseason letdown in October, but significant roster changes appear unlikely.
Following the decision to bring back Kyle Schwarber on a $150 million deal, the Phillies are positioned to return largely the same core of veteran stars. If the organization hopes to capture another World Series championship, it will depend heavily on those players delivering improved performances.
As part of his effort to stay healthy and continue playing at an elite level, franchise cornerstone Bryce Harper recently revealed that he underwent a less common blood treatment.
“EBOO is a procedure where one-third of your blood is removed from your body, run through a filtration and ozonation system, and then returned to your bloodstream,” Harper explained in an Instagram post that included a video of the treatment. “The process circulates your blood outside the body, exposes it to ozone (O₃), and helps oxygenate or filter it before it goes back in.”
Phillies’ Bryce Harper Undergoes Controversial Blood Procedure
EBOO, short for “Extracorporeal Blood Oxygenation and Ozonation,” is a rare and unconventional treatment. The process involves removing a substantial portion of blood from the body, exposing it to laser and ozone-based treatment, and then reinfusing it back into the bloodstream.
Harper’s post has surpassed 64,000 likes, but it has also sparked criticism and raised questions about safety.
“Safety concerns persist, including a case of neurological complications after intravenous ozone that was published in the Archives of Academic Emergency Medicine earlier this year,” Denny Alfonso wrote for The Athletic. “The study highlighted risks of air bubbles leading to a blocked vein or artery, and the dangers of inhaling ozone, which can damage the lungs.”
Alfonso added that after Harper underwent the procedure, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning stating it “has not approved any medical devices for EBOO therapy.” The report also pointed out that FDA regulations classify ozone as “a toxic gas with no known useful medical application.”
Still, the FDA’s stance is unlikely to sway Harper from believing the treatment could help him. He has openly endorsed other nontraditional health approaches in the past, including drinking raw milk.
At this stage of his career, Harper appears willing to explore any method that might help him stay healthy and boost his on-field performance. Last season, he posted a .261/.347/.487 slash line, strong numbers for a 33-year-old, but also his least productive season in several years.
As Harper and the Phillies aim for a longer postseason run next year, the star slugger seems prepared to embrace unconventional wellness strategies in hopes of maintaining his health and elevating his play.