Zack Wheeler injury: Mets place pitcher on disabled list with stress reaction

The Mets announced on Monday afternoon that right-handed pitcher Zack Wheeler is being placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a stress reaction in his throwing arm. Tyler Pill has been recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas, but the Mets are planning on calling up Chris Flexen to start in place of Wheeler against San Diego on Thursday night.

Wheeler got off to a great start this season in his return from Tommy John surgery with a 3.45 ERA through June 7. However, he allowed 15 runs in fewer than four innings over his next two starts and was sent to the DL with biceps tendinitis.

That stay only lasted 11 days, but Wheeler hasn’t been able to regain his form since rejoining the rotation. In the four starts since his return, the 27-year-old has a 4.95 ERA with 20 strikeouts and 11 walks in just 20 innings.

This latest setback means another big league opportunity for Tyler Pill, who has a 5.00 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in five major league appearances (three starts) this season. He’s been better for Triple-A Las Vegas, where he has a 3.47 ERA in 80.1 innings with 22 walks and just 50 strikeouts. His latest outing was last Wednesday, and it was a good one as the Cal State Fullerton product worked seven scoreless innings against Fresno.