PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) – Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler has a torn elbow ligament, a blow to a team hoping to compete for the playoffs following Matt Harvey’s return from Tommy John surgery. If Wheeler needs replacement surgery, he likely would be out until early of the 2016 season.
The 24-year-old right-hander had an MRI exam Saturday in Port St. Lucie, Florida, the team said. The scan was reviewed Monday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York and he was preliminarily diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament.
Wheeler was to travel Monday to New York to “confirm the diagnosis” and discuss with team medical director Dr. David Altchek on how to proceed.
The announcement came one day after the team said Josh Edgin, the team’s most-established left-handed reliever, will have elbow-ligament replacement surgery this week. The only other left-handed relievers in camp are Sean Gilmartin and three pitchers with minor league contracts – Scott Rice, Dario Alvarez and Jack Leathersich.
Wheeler’s injury could end New York’s thoughts of trading Dillon Gee for a shortstop or offensive help. Harvey now heads a rotation that includes NL Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom, Jonathon Niese, Bartolo Colon and Gee.