It has now been a little more than 14 months since Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler underwent Tommy John surgery. The usual rehab timetable is 12 months, but given the recent rash of players needing a second Tommy John surgery, teams are taking a more conservative approach to the rehab.
Wheeler's return had originally been scheduled for the very end of this month, though those plans have changed. The Mets are now planning to bring Wheeler back after the All-Star break next month, reports MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. Here's some more:
"I'm happy," Wheeler said. "It's sneaking up on me. It's getting here quick and fast. Every time I'm throwing a bullpen, I'm getting my pitch count up."
The Mets had initially scheduled Wheeler for a July 1 return, but a minor second procedure to remove an undissolved stitch from his throwing arm erased much of the wiggle room in Wheeler's schedule. The Mets are now wary of having him return in early July, only to then rest for an extended period during the break. They consider a mid-July return more fluid.
Wheeler is throwing and in the process of stretching out his arm. He'll soon begin to throw curveballs and sliders as he continues his rehab. Pretty soon it'll only be a matter of building his pitch count so he can throw 90-100 pitches per start.
The Mets agreed in principle to trade Wheeler to the Brewers (along with Wilmer Flores) for Carlos Gomez at the trade deadline last year, but the deal fell apart due to concerns about Gomez's medicals. Wheeler could again be on the trade market this summer, since the team is pretty well set in the rotation.
Wheeler, 26, was originally acquired from the Giants in the Carlos Beltran trade a few years ago. He went 11-11 with a 3.54 ERA (97 ERA+) in 185 1/3 innings in 2014, his only full season in the big leagues.
The Mets are 30-23 and two games back of the Nationals so far this season. Their rotation currently has a 3.23 ERA, third lowest in baseball behind the Cubs (2.33) and Nationals (3.14).
