BRADENTON, Fla. -- The Pittsburgh Pirates expect to have Kip Wells in the rotation by the All-Star break after his operation to correct a blocked artery.

Wells had surgery Monday in St. Louis, where doctors transplanted a vein from his leg to replace the damaged part of the axillary artery in the right armpit.

The axillary is the primary blood vessel from the heart to the upper extremities, and Wells' artery had been completely blocked, causing his arm and hand to feel tired at times during the past two months.

General manager Dave Littlefield said Tuesday that Wells will spend two to three days in St. Louis to rest and return home to Houston for an unspecified stay. In four to six weeks, Wells can begin rehabilitation to strengthen his arm.

The All-Star break is July 10-12, meaning Wells will miss half the season or less.

"Considering all things, I think it is a good result," Littlefield said.

The 28-year-old right-hander was expected to be an important part of the rotation despite going 8-18 with a 5.09 ERA last season. He led the team with 182 innings and missed one start in 2005.

"It seems like it's worked out, and that's great for Kip and our whole team," pitcher Ryan Vogelsong said. "He's such a big part of what we do."

Wells is the most experienced member of a staff that has Oliver Perez, Zach Duke and Paul Maholm -- all 24 or younger -- as its only confirmed starters. Others vying for starting duty are Vogelsong, Victor Santos, Ian Snell, Brandon Duckworth and, if deemed healthy after reconstructive elbow surgery, Sean Burnett.