New York Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler reportedly won’t return from the 10-day injured list before this Friday.
We have an update on Zack Wheeler‘s return to the mound.
Per a report from MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, the New York Mets righty won’t be pitching before this Friday. Wheeler was placed on the 10-day injured list on Monday, July 15 with shoulder fatigue. The IL placement is retroactive to Friday, July 12, therefore the earliest he could’ve returned to the mound would be Tuesday of this week.
However, that reportedly won’t be the case.
“While Wheeler is likely to return on the Mets’ upcoming homestand, the team is not currently planning to start him before Friday against the Pirates,” wrote DiComo. “That will give Wheeler, a prime trade candidate, only one more outing before the July 31 deadline.
“A final decision on Wheeler’s activation will not come until Monday, after the Mets see how his arm responds to Sunday’s workload.”
“Sunday’s workload” refers to the bullpen session Wheeler underwent at Oracle Park in San Francisco. The Mets just wrapped up a four-game series there against the Giants this past weekend.
Mets manager Mickey Callaway stated that “If [Wheeler] feels good [Monday], we’ve got to figure out when to plug him in.”
Thus far in 2019, Wheeler is 6-6 with an ERA of 4.69 and a WHIP of 1.277. He has 130 strikeouts and 34 walks through 19 starts (119.0 innings pitched).
Wheeler is a big trade possibility ahead of the deadline, but this injury and timetable for return definitely decrease his trade value. If anything, Wheeler would most likely end up as a rental for wherever he may land. His current contract expires at the end of this year.
