As per Matt Ehalt of Yahoo Sports, New York Mets manager, Mickey Callaway wouldn’t confirm that right-hander Zack Wheeler (right shoulder impingement) would be activated off the 10-day injured list on July 23 to face the San Diego Padres, the first day he’d be eligible to return.
Ehalt notes Friday, July 26 versus the Pirates at Citi Field as a “more likely” date for the power righty to return.
As per multiple reports from Oracle Park in the Bay Area, Wheeler threw 13 pitches off a sloped surface on Friday afternoon. Anthony DiComo of MLB.com notes he “still needs to throw a full bullpen session” before returning to major-league action.
Wheeler, 29, was unexpectedly placed on the IL earlier in the week with what was diagnosed as impingement in his throwing shoulder. The impending free agent is viewed as one of the Mets’ most valuable assets as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaches.
After experiencing an extreme surge in productivity over the second half of 2018 (1.68 ERA over his final 11 starts), Wheeler’s had an inconsistent 2019 campaign.
Through his first 19 starts (119 innings), the Georgia native owns a 4.69 ERA, 3.66 FIP, a would-be career-high 9.83 strikeouts per nine innings and a 2.57 walks per nine.
We’ll keep you posted as more information becomes available.
