After meeting with doctors earlier in the week, Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler has officially opted for Tommy John surgery.
The 24-year-old right-hander is scheduled to undergo surgery on Tuesday or Wednesday, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN. Dr. David Altchek will perform the surgery, per the report. He will be the 10th pitcher in New York's organization to undergo Tommy John surgery since 2013.
"[When] they told me on the phone, I came out here and everybody was sort of staring at me," Wheeler said, per NJ.com. "And I was like, 'Torn UCL'. And they all just sort of came up to me. I cried a little bit. They're all really supportive. Bunch of really good guys in here."
Wheeler was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament after he was scratched from a March 14 Grapefruit League game. A report also surfaced that he pitched with a torn tendon the previous season.
"Honestly, I've had pain in that spot in my elbow since I got drafted, since before I got drafted," Wheeler said, per Newsday.
Wheeler went 11-11, with a 3.54 ERA in 32 starts for the Mets last year. He has a lifetime 3.50 ERA through 49 starts (285 1/3 innings). He is expected to be fully recovered in time for the 2016 season. Dillon Gee and Rafael Montero will compete for the the club's final rotation spot.
"They're going to go in and basically clean up everything," Wheeler said, per Newsday. "So, I'm going to have a new elbow when I come out."