Mets place Michael Conforto on the DL, activate Zack Wheeler

The Mets have activated Zack Wheeler from the 10-day disabled list while placing Michael Conforto on the 10-day DL in a corresponding move. Wheeler will start this afternoon against the Phillies, while Conforto will be eligible to return on July 8, two days before the All-Star break.

Conforto has been one of the best hitters in baseball this year, ranking tenth among qualified hitters with a .953 OPS. Hitting mostly out of the leadoff spot, he has been a stellar presence in a Mets lineup that did not include him at the beginning of the year. Without him, the Mets will send out their Opening Day outfield of Yoenis Cespedes, Curtis Granderson, and Jay Bruce.

Conforto has been out of the lineup since getting hit by a pitch from San Francisco’s Matt Moore on June 25. Despite initially being treated as day-to-day, the Mets have not called on him to pinch hit in any of the four games since. An MRI and CT scan both turned up negative, but Conforto’s hand still hurt too much for him to swing a bat.

Wheeler’s return means he has only missed one start. His last two starts before going on the DL were both disastrous, with Wheeler giving up 15 runs in just 3.2 innings. The Mets placed him on the DL on June 21 with biceps tendinitis, but they are reportedly more concerned with arm fatigue. The Mets will hope for better results from Wheeler on extra rest tonight against the Phillies.