Mets activate Zack Wheeler from IL, option Walker Lockett

The Mets have activated Zack Wheeler from the injured list and optioned fellow right-handed pitcher Walker Lockett to Triple-A to make room for him on the roster. Wheeler hit the IL with shoulder fatigue just after the All-Star break after starting the Mets’ final game of the first half of the season.

Coming off a dominant second half in 2018 that helped him finish that season with very good numbers, Wheeler’s performance has taken a step back this year. While the Mets’ inefficient defense has likely contributed to his struggles, he has a not-so-nice 4.69 ERA in 119.0 innings over 19 starts. He does have a 3.67 FIP, though, and his strikeout and walk rates have been good. And his home run rate is up, but it hasn’t skyrocketed in the same way as it has for many other pitchers in the game with this year’s version of the official baseball.

As for Lockett, he acquitted himself nicely in his start filling in for Wheeler on July 20, as he went five innings and gave up just one run on five hits with three strikeouts and no walks. Unfortunately, that still left him with a 7.82 ERA in very limited major league playing time this year, as his pair of starts in June went very poorly.