The Mets announced on Monday that starting pitcher Zack Wheeler has a torn ulnar collateral ligament and is leaving Florida for New York to discuss his next steps with team doctors, which could likely result in Tommy John surgery, per CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.
General manager Sandy Alderson told reporters that Wheeler had two offseason MRIs which showed no ligament tear. However, Wheeler did have a PRP injection in November, and experienced some pain in January. Alderson revealed that his latest MRI showed a full tear of the ligament, per Adam Rubin of ESPN and Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
"You're always prepared for bad news, but ... honestly, I have to say this kind of result is not totally unexpected," general manager Sandy Alderson said, per MLB.com.
Wheeler was scratched from Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals with elbow tenderness and a blister under his middle fingernail. He downplayed the issue on Saturday before the team brought him in for an MRI on Sunday, which revealed a torn elbow ligament. If Wheeler opts for Tommy John surgery -- which appears to be the likely scenario -- he will miss the entire 2015 season.