Zack Wheeler has been “backed down” in his rehab due to discomfort in his surgically repaired right elbow. While the team does not consider this to be a serious setback “right now,” Wheeler will fly back to New York to meet with team doctors tomorrow at the Hospital for Special Surgery.
Wheeler underwent Tommy John surgery before the 2015 season. The 26-year-old then underwent a minor procedure in April to remove a suture knot from his surgically repaired elbow.
The team was originally aiming to activate Wheeler on July 1, but decided to take the slow route and push the timetable to after the All-Star break. There is no word yet on whether this setback will delay the right-hander’s return even more, but it will certainly not help him get back any sooner.
The former sixth overall pick was acquired from the San Francisco Giants in 2011 in exchange for Carlos Beltran. Over 285 major league innings, Wheeler has a 3.50 ERA and a 3.77 FIP, with 271 strikeouts and 125 walks.
Wheeler was almost traded to the Brewers as part of a deal for Carlos Gomez last season before that deal fell through due to concerns over Gomez’s medical records. The Mets, instead, traded for Yoenis Cespedes.