Mets RHP Zack Wheeler will have his elbow examined by Dr. Andrews on Wednesday, Mets assistant GM John Ricco told reporters last night in Arizona.
As was previously reported, Wheeler felt some elbow discomfort after making his rehab appearance on August 6.
“He felt it after that one initial outing,” Ricco said of Wheeler’s elbow soreness. “He still felt some soreness a couple of days later.”
Ricco added that Wheeler is opting to bypass Dr. Altchek who performed his Tommy John surgery in 2015, and meet with Dr. Andrews instead because “he’s concerned about the multiple setbacks” during his rehab. “I think in some ways, it’s peace of mind for Zack,” Ricco concluded.
The Mets were planning on Wheeler rejoining the rotation in mid to late August before this latest setback. It’s still not clear if he’s expected to return at all this season. We will have some clarity on Wednesday.
Original Report – Aug 12
According to multiple sources, Zack Wheeler is seeing Dr. Andrews with right elbow discomfort. Of course, he is on the road back from Tommy John surgery.
On August 5th, Wheeler pitched an inning for Single A St. Lucie. He allowed only a walk and an unearned run in one inning before he was forced off the mound by a rain delay. It was his first time he pitched to live batters off a mound in two years.
In two seasons, Wheeler is 18-16 with a 3.50 ERA. In 285.1 innings he was struck out 271 batters and walked 125.
Big blow for the Mets if this exam was to reveal any significant injury. Wheeler was reportedly who the Brewers insisted on during the Jonathan Lucroy deal with the Mets.
