Zack Wheeler was expected to make his MLB return for the New York Mets around midseason, but he's hit a minor roadblock in his recovery from Tommy John surgery.
The right-hander, according to the latest rumors, will undergo a minor follow-up procedure on his surgically repaired elbow to remove an undissolved stitch from his initial TJ surgery. He was examined Thursday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, and his MRI came back "super clean."
All of this news comes from ESPN's Adam Rubin, who also said Wheeler "may resume his normal pitching rehab within two weeks, after allowing the wound to heal" from the follow-up surgery. Dr. David Altchek is will perform the minor surgery after conducting the reconstructive elbow surgery last year.
The Mets have yet to confirm anything, however other MLB sources have confirmed Rubin's report.
Zack Wheeler has a stitch from Tommy John surgery that never dissolved. He's having a minor operation to get it removed. NBD.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) April 8, 2016
Zack Wheeler is having a "very minor" procedure to remove a stitch that didn't dissolve, as A Dot Rubin reported earlier.
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) April 8, 2016
Rumors indicated that Wheeler, 25, could make his return on July 1, but now his 2016 debut could come after the All-Star break. He suffered a UCL tear in spring training last year after 49 starts with the team from 2013-2014, during which he went 18-16 with a 3.50 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 271 strikeouts in 285-1/3 innings. He first threw off a mound on Feb. 27 and was making progress in his throwing program.
The Mets have decided to have Wheeler undertake a longer recovery time (15 months) from Tommy John after watching it work well for fellow starter Matt Harvey. The team placed Wheeler on the 15-day disabled list on April 1, and he was replaced with Bartolo Colon in the starting rotation.
Wheeler participated in Thursday night's NL Championship ring presentation at Citi Field, and he was also present for introductions during the Mets' home opener on Friday afternoon against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Stay tuned for updates on this development as well as confirmation from the team.
