New York Mets starting pitcher Zack Wheeler is recovering from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in March 2015.

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Mets Reportedly Aiming to Have Wheeler Back in July

Tuesday, Feb. 2

The Mets and doctors have reportedly set back the timetable for Wheeler's return from elbow surgery and are now expecting him back in 15 months (July 2016), according to Kevin Kernan of the New York Post.  

The success of Matt Harvey's return from Tommy John surgery inspired the Mets to take their time with Wheeler's return as well.

The Mets certainly have plenty of experience in the Tommy John arena. For instance, Wheeler has also altered his arm angle like Jacob deGrom did after undergoing the surgery in 2010. Along with Harvey and deGrom, Steven Matz also had Tommy John surgery and has returned.

“It’s reassuring to know those guys have all been through it,’’ Wheeler told Kernan.

For Wheeler, however, there is plenty of work left to be done.

It’s been tough, mental side and physical side. You have good days, bad days arm-wise, mostly good, but those bad days, they are there and you just have to keep in mind this is what it takes to get back on the field. Some days you don’t feel like going in that weight room, but you have to remind yourself where you want to be once you do get back up there.

Wheeler, 25, is 18-16 with 3.50 ERA and 271 strikeouts over 285.1 innings in his career. He was once considered one of the brightest young pitching prospects in baseball and has immense upside. His return will make a Mets rotation that already includes Harvey, deGrom and Noah Syndergaard arguably the best in all of baseball.

That rotation will also be expected to carry the Mets back to the postseason again in 2016 and many years into the future. The Mets are now built for October with such a young, talented staff. If Wheeler can return and give the team another ace, they'll be very difficult to unseat in the National League.