Right-hander Zack Wheeler tossed 10 pitches from the slope of the pitcher’s mound at Tradition Field on Saturday in Port St. Lucie.
“As small as it was, it’s a big milestone,” Wheeler said. “Even if it was seven throws off the front of the mound, it’s still feet on the dirt, getting back on the slope a little bit.”
It was Wheeler’s first time on a pitcher’s mound since having Tommy John surgery last Spring. As he walked back to the clubhouse, he said he felt good and was happy to take another step forward in his rehab.
Wheeler, 25, is expected to rejoin the rotation on or around July 1 barring any setbacks. “Obviously I’d rather be back out there sooner than later, but sometimes things take time. It’s a big surgery that I had, so it’s better to take our time.”
Manager Terry Collins downplayed this morning’s throwing session from Wheeler. “He’s a ways away, so I’m not going to get too amped up about it yet.”
The Mets are expected to use a six-man rotation for a couple of turns when Wheeler returns to the rotation. After that, Bartolo Colon is expected to shift to the bullpen while Wheeler remains in the rotation.
