Zack Wheeler understands that injuries and the rise of the other four members of the starting staff have pushed his status down a peg. With a July return in sight, Wheeler is looking to change that mind set.
Speaking with Mike Puma of the NY Post,, Wheeler, 25, says he understands that his pitching brethren have been the talk of the town, however, he’s excited to return to this dynamic rotation and prove he belongs in the same category as them.
“I have Twitter, TV, so I do see everything,” Wheeler said after a workout this week. “I’m not one of those guys who gets jealous. I couldn’t care less about what people say or think about me, but at the same time it motivates me to have a little chip on my shoulder, which is fine.”
Wheeler is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and repairing a torn tendon. He joins Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, and Steven Matz as Mets pitchers who have all undergone the procedure, so it’s an encouraging sign to know that his fellow starters have come back strong from their own surgeries. Matz and deGrom had their surgeries performed by Dr. David Altchek, the same doctor that performed the most recent one on Wheeler. That allows for commonality between the pitchers to share how they worked their way back.
“Harvey was with Andrews, so it was a different surgery,” Wheeler said. “I look at these guys a little more because it’s the same surgery. But even with Harvey, it’s reassuring they are out there.”
Wheeler has pitched two seasons with the Mets, compiling a record of 18-16, 3.50 ERA in 49 games. Wheeler saw big gains in his second year with the team, starting 32 games that year, along with a lower FIP (4.17 in ’13 to 3.55 in ’14), lower walks per 9 (4.1 to 3.8), and an increase in strikeouts per nine (7.6 to 9.1).
The Mets have taken a similar approach with Wheeler’s return to action as they did with Harvey, having him rehab for 15 months and taking small steps to pitching on a mound. Wheeler threw off the mound this past Tuesday in Florida for the first time since undergoing his surgery, almost a full year. The next steps would consist of throwing to a catcher with a batter in the box, then live batting practice and simulated games.
The Mets re-signed fan favorite Bartolo Colon to hold the fifth spot until Wheeler returns sometime in July. Wheeler will be monitored for innings, just as Harvey was last year. The Mets will employ spot starters throughout the year to help keep their starters fresh.
Adding Wheeler back to a rotation that is already considered one of the best in the game without him is pretty scary. Wheeler has spoken about how he has tweaked his mechanics to avoid any lingering elbow issues, and learned from deGrom to get his elbow up sooner in his delivery to take pressure off it.
It’s been a welcome sight seeing Wheeler working out and interacting with his teammates this spring. Wheeler knows that his time is coming close to return, and has already been mapping out a time frame of where his progression will take him.
“I’ve been thinking about it a lot more as it’s getting closer. In three months I’ll probably pitch in [minor league] games and in four months I’ll be hopefully back up there, so it’s coming up quick.”
Wheeler showcased a lot of promise and intrigue since his arrival to the Mets in 2011, in a trade with the San Francisco Giants that included the departure of Carlos Beltran. With the surgery behind him, improved mechanics, and a “chip on his shoulder”, look for Wheeler to bring the Mets yet another hard throwing, top of the rotation starter for fans to enjoy every fifth day.
