Major League Baseball

New York Mets Zack Wheeler Feeling Elbow Tenderness

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:56 p.m. ET

Fansided, David Hill/FanSided via Call to the Pen

Zack Wheeler has had another setback in his return to the mound, feeling tenderness in his elbow. At this point, the New York Mets have to wonder if he will ever return.

Just a couple of years ago, the New York Mets had envisioned a starting rotation consisting entirely of young controllable arms. With Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, Steven Matz, Jacob DeGrom and Matt Harvey, the Mets could have had a rotation that would have been the envy of any in baseball.

Instead, the majority of those starters have been riddled with injuries, although none have missed as much time as Wheeler. Coming off a promising 2014 campaign where he posted an 11-11 record with a 3.54 ERA and a 1.327 WHiP, striking out 187 batters in 185.1 innings, Wheeler underwent Tommy John surgery. That procedure cost him the past two years, as Wheeler has had several setbacks in his attempt to get back on the mound.

Another possible setback came up recently. Earlier in the week, Wheeler felt tenderness in his elbow, causing the Mets to pause his throwing program. While he hopes to return to the mound this weekend, this is just another in the long list of concerns with that elbow.

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The Mets themselves are saying the right things, including that they do not consider this to be a setback. A scan of his elbow did not show any structural damage, and he did play catch yesterday. That return to the mound could even come as early as today, if his arm is feeling up to par.

Yet, any time that Wheeler feels discomfort, it is a reminder of how tenuous his health may be. It also begs the question of whether or not the Mets can count of Wheeler to be a key part the rotation. Or will he need to transition into a relief role? And even then, can his elbow hold up to the workload?

There is certainly no questioning Wheeler’s potential. Even now, although it has been two years since he has thrown a ball, Wheeler will not turn 27 until the end of May. He still has his entire prime ahead of him, and if he can recapture the form that made him a top prospect, Wheeler could still be a star in the making. It is just a matter of health.

Although this latest twinge in his elbow may not mean anything, one still has to be concerned whenever Zack Wheeler has elbow discomfort. Understandably, the New York Mets are taking his return slowly, making sure that he is fully healthy before putting him back on the mound.