Injury-plagued Mets will 're-evaluate' Wheeler's innings limit
The New York Mets may need Zack Wheeler to pitch more this season than they had penciled him in for.
After undergoing Tommy John surgery and missing the entirety of the 2015 and 2016 seasons, Wheeler has managed to pitch 43 1/3 innings so far this year.
"What we try to do is establish a target, and then we constantly re-evaluate," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson told Newsday's David Lennon. "And that's what we'll do in his case."
The Mets are currently rolling with a four-man rotation as a result of Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz, and Seth Lugo all being on the disabled list.
Related: Alderson says Mets making changes in handling injuries
Wheeler entered the 2017 campaign with an innings limit set at around 125. However, the Mets are desperate for backup, and appear to be re-evaluating Wheeler's innings limit out of necessity.
"Right now he's one of the horses we've got to ride to get back on track," Mets skipper Terry Collins added.
Wheeler has pitched more than 125 innings just once in his short major-league career. In 2014, he managed 185 1/3 innings of work. The following March, he was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament.
Owner of a 3-2 record, Wheeler is posting a 3.74 ERA and 4.22 FIP through his eight starts this season.
The 18-23 Mets are in an unenviable spot, 6 1/2 games back of the first-place Washington Nationals.