RADIO
Mets right handed pitcher Zack Wheeler has a torn ligament in his pitching elbow, and is likely heading for Tommy John surgery, the team announced Monday morning. Wheeler is heading back to New York to get a second opinion before going under the knife.
Wheeler was complaining of tenderness in his arm after giving up six runs over 1 2/3 inning his last start on Saturday, leading the team to take an MRI over the weekend. Assuming Wheeler does need Tommy John surgery, he is going to miss all of the 2015 season along with the beginning of 2016.
Wheeler, 24, was drafted by the Giants sixth overall pick in the 2009 draft before being traded to the Mets for Carlos Beltran. The Mets were counting on Wheeler to be a work horse for the team as they contend for a playoff spot in 2015. Wheeler pitched 185 innings in 2014, going 11-11 in 32 starts with a 3.54 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP.
This will likely move Dillon Gee into the fifth rotation spot, joining the Tommy John alumni Matt Harvey along with 2014 NL Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom, Bartolo Colon and Jon Niese. Top pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard is also an option to be called up during the season.
Wheeler joins teammate Josh Edgin, Yu Darvish and Marcus Stroman as pitchers who are already lost for the 2015 season.
