Zack Wheeler met Dr. David Altchek in New York on Wednesday to discuss his options, and is headed for Tommy John surgery after an MRI revealed a full tear of the UCL. He has yet to decide if the Mets’ Dr. Altchek will perform the surgery or fellow leading orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews.
There is also some new information coming out on Wheeler and what the Mets knew. According to Marc Carig of Newsday, a source told him that before a torn ulnar collateral ligament wiped out Zack Wheeler’s season, the Mets were worried about a different issue in his troublesome right elbow: a torn tendon.
“The tendon tear, a source told Newsday, is what prompted Wheeler to undergo platelet-rich plasma therapy twice this offseason. Doctors hoped the treatment would speed up healing and allow Wheeler to keep pitching.”
Wheeler’s agent B.B. Abbott also revealed on Wednesday that Wheeler pitched with a bone spur in his right elbow last season and that’s what caused the nagging pain Wheeler has endured. (North Jersey)
Abbott said the pain in Wheeler’s elbow stemmed from the small bone spur, not from the UCL. He said Wheeler was told he could pitch through the pain and the bone spur would not compromise the ligament.
“Had Wheeler undergone surgery, Abbott said it would’ve sidelined him for four to six months. Wheeler elected to pitch through the pain and hoped the bone spur would eventually not be an issue, but the possibility remained it would have to be removed.”
Wow, it’s amazing how much this has evolved in 72 hours, going from “we’re unconcerned” to finding out that the truth was that Wheeler was a complete mess.
I feel bad for the kid and I assume he’s remained silent because it must be hell trying to absorb all of it.
But just as we had weekly updates all through the 2014 season on Matt Harvey‘s rehab, I’m sure it will be the same regarding Wheeler.
Here’s hoping the surgery is successful and the rehab is as remarkable as Harvey’s rehab.
