Wheeler (elbow) is not guaranteed a spot on the Mets' Opening Day roster, The New York Daily News reports.
The team is discussing a few different approaches to handling Wheeler, who'll be on a fairly strict innings limit this season after not pitching in the majors since 2014. He could begin the campaign as the Mets' fifth starter, getting his turn skipped frequently and being held to a pitch count early in the year that would keep him from throwing more than five innings in a start, but that plan would put additional strain on the bullpen -- although with Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo on hand to pick up the slack, it seems viable. The other main option would be to leave Wheeler behind when the team breaks camp, let Gsellman or Lugo be the fifth starter, and then bring Wheeler up in June or so to take the job without any restrictions. Either way, it seems unlikely the 26-year-old will make a big fantasy impact this season, making him more appealing in keeper and dynasty formats than re-draft leagues.