Wheeler has torn UCL; Tommy John surgery a possibility

[cruzg24]

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Starting pitcher Zack Wheeler has been diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, the Mets announced Monday. Wheeler will travel to New York City today to confirm the diagnosis and discuss his next steps with team orthopedist Dr. David Altchek, but Tommy John surgery is the standard treatment for a torn UCL.

Wheeler, 24, was 11-11 with a 3.54 ERA in 32 starts last season, putting him in contention for the Mets' Opening Day start.
If he undergoes Tommy John surgery, Wheeler will become the fifth Mets pitcher to have the procedure in the past 20 months, joining Matt Harvey, Bobby Parnell, Jeremy Hefner (twice) and Josh Edgin.
Several pitchers with torn UCLs have attempted to rehab their injuries instead of undergo surgery, most notably Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka. But most, like Harvey, ultimately opt for surgery.

Source: mlb.com

 

[Giantmetfan07]

And the team even knew there was an issue last season. unbelievable.

 

[cruzg24]

Its a good thing we kept that pitching depth in the offseason. But this is still a major blow and we are going to need Noah, Matz, or Montero to step it up later on in the year.

 

[snipezo]

A possibility? Tommy John is inevitable, no?

 

[cruzg24]

A possibility? Tommy John is inevitable, no?

You can opt for resting the arm, which Cliff Lee and the phillies have been unsuccesfully trying to do the past 2 years.

 

[elcheato]

At 36 I imagine Cliff just doesn't want to have that kind of surgery and go through a year long rehab process. He'll probably call it quits if rest doesn't work this time. 

 

[Giantmetfan07]

Yankees did it with tanaka but that was only a partial tear.

 

[cruzg24]

I just want the Mets to make the playoffs, is that too much to ask?

Noah needs to step up.

 

[NV]

Might be a little too much. lol
 
This shit ain't right for the Mets though. Back to back years young guns on the shelf. 

 

[cruzg24]

Might be a little too much. lol
 
This shit ain't right for the Mets though. Back to back years young guns on the shelf.

Yea, it really sucks. I honestly see us winning 84 games this upcoming year. The mets doctors are simply terrible. The UCL was torn last season and he stated he has been feeling that pain since before he was drafted. Maybe its just the Mets optimist in me but maybe this is a great thing for his young career getting it done now.