Zack Wheeler was scratched from his Grapefruit League start against the Nationals today because of what has been deemed elbow tendinitis. Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson didn’t seem too concerned, claiming that Wheeler pitched with the same issue during stretches of last season. We won’t touch on just how alarming that latter statement was, but Wheeler experiencing tendinitis of the elbow is certainly concerning.
The fact that Wheeler has elbow tendinitis obviously doesn’t mean that surgery is a foregone conclusion, but remember that Matt Harvey visited Dr. David Altchek in 2013 fully expecting to get a tendinitis or inflammation diagnosis. This is not meant to incite panic that Wheeler will need Tommy John surgery, but it’s important to note that banking on pitching health is a dubious bet at best. Using Generation K as a precautionary tale is a horse that has been beaten to death, but we only need to look at the last few seasons for the Mets to understand the fragility of pitching.
Harvey is in Spring Training making his comeback from Tommy John surgery, as is closer Bobby Parnell. Within the span 48 hours, we learned about the Wheeler issue, Vic Black needing an MRI on his shoulder, and that Josh Edgin is mulling Tommy John surgery or rehab. Let’s also not forget poor Jeremy Hefner, who had to have two of the dreaded surgeries in the span of 14 months. Heck, even highly-touted pitching prospect Steven Matz is has worked his way back from it.
The Mets are about as prepared for this as any team could be with the depth of their organizational pitching. The point is that banking on pitching as your core strength has serious pitfalls, and the Mets are approaching a point when that depth may be tested before the 2015 season even starts. What if Wheeler needs to open the season on the disabled list (or have surgery)? What if Jon Niese‘s shoulder continues to give him problems? What if Harvey’s return isn’t quite as smooth as hoped or Bartolo Colon makes us all remember that he will soon be 42 years old?
Again, pointing out these issues isn’t meant to cause panic. They have Matz and Noah Syndergaard in AAA and, though they aren’t quite ready, they’re close enough if needed. They didn’t trade Dillon Gee so he also acts as insurance for the rotation. But so much of the team’s success hinges on pitching health that it’s hard not to be overly concerned with so many question marks. In the absolute worst case scenario the team’s pitching depth could dry up pretty fast. The bright side here is that, should that depth need to come to the surface en masse, it’s of such quality that the team could realistically weather the storm.
Of course, in that scenario staying competitive would be more of a certainty with a more well-rounded offense. To improve the offense the team will need to part with some of that pitching depth, though. That, my fellow Mets fans, is this organization’s Catch-22.
Vic Black was at least cleared of all serious problems- only fatigue. Edgin didn’t tear his muscle, so there’s hope there. The biggest question mark will be Wheeler. If he gets injured, the Mets will probably punt 2015- which is a shame. I really hope he is okay, because if he isn’t then it will be the same old Mets.
Punting your season because a #4-type starter goes down. Lol.
Yeah I wouldn’t consider punting if Wheeler went down. I’m a firm believer in the ‘Next man up’ mentality. If a player isn’t available for whatever reason there should be a player available to take his place. No team should hinge on one player, something the A’s have been doing for years.
Speaking of- I wonder if SA took a page from Beanes book regarding SP. Bean is known to have a plethora of young arms with the assumption that out of every 3 guys 1 will get hurt, 1 won’t develop and 1 will live up to potential.
At the end of the day I’m comfortable with our depth and quality of pitching if for some reason we needed it.
No punting. We’ll have a rotation of Harvey, deGrom, Niese, Colon, and Gee to start, and Syndergaard and/or Montero and/or Matz coming up soon.
Wheeler now headed for an MRI.
deGrom also coming back from TJ. And lest we forget anterior capsule tears from Johan (x2) and Byrdak.
Surely that couldn’t be because Wheeler had 110+ pitches in 13 games last year? (second only to CJ Wilson).
And the fact that only 2 of them resulted in 7+ IP meant that most of the games were grinds.
fraid so
Really hoping Wheeler doesn’t need to get surgery or miss a long stretch of time. At least if he needs rest, this team will be good to give it to him. Dillon Gee can step up, and if that doesn’t work, Rafael Montero could step in. Glad to see our pitching depth help us.
Well, ever since Wheeler join the Metsies, we have heard about his inverted W and how it can lead to elbow problems. Well, here they are. Hope the kid is fine.
If Wheeler needs surgery…I know we all hate to hear this, but not only do we currently have depth, but it gives Steve Matz an opportunity, as well as Noah Syndegaard, even more so than previously thought.
It is so great to watch exhibition games, as it reminds me that Spring will, one day, arrive. I ‘celebrated’ Friday with my appointment to get my studded snow tires finally removed. Nature responded with 12″ of snow for today.
We have depth, and there is a feel among Met fans of a lack of panic due to this depth. The discussions about trading a starting pitcher have subsided a bit, but pitching isn’t something we need much concern over.
I am enjoying the shortstop battle, too. I was hoping to see a catcher’s battle but neither has been hitting much.
Depth is 6 or 7 starters. We have 9, 10 if you count Torres who’s been terrific in spot starts. We also have 4 hard throwing righty relievers. Another lefty in the pen would have been nice though.
Sounds like Wheeler is out for the year.
Next man up-Dillon Gee. Just a year ago he was our Opening Day starter and was coming off a great second half.
Looks like you were onto something.
I don’t even….
:/
Are any of you guys actually surprised? Bah. Looks like we’ll be seeing one of Matz/Syndergaard up earlier than expected.
People have been saying it for years: Wheeler was a ticking TJ time bomb because of his inverted W pitching mechanics. And now that day has arrived.