Mets' Wheeler to undergo Tommy John surgery next week; targets June 2016 return

Zack Wheeler is ready to put his elbow issues behind him. He just has to wait a few more days.

The New York Mets right-hander told reporters Friday that he expects to undergo Tommy John surgery early next week in New York to repair the torn UCL in his throwing elbow. The procedure will be performed Tuesday or Wednesday by Dr. David Altheck, who confirmed Wheeler suffered a complete tear of the ligament during an examination this week.

Wheeler, who admitted to pitching through pain and bouts of tendinitis during a career-high 185 1/3 innings in 2014, said the UCL tear was independent from the existing torn tendon and calcification in his ailing elbow. 

"Honestly," he said, "I’ve had pain in that spot in my elbow since I got drafted, since before I got drafted."

Newsday reported Thursday that doctors assured the team last season that Wheeler was not at risk for additional injury by pitching with a damaged tendon, which Wheeler revealed was discovered during offseason MRIs.

The 24-year-old said Friday he expects his rehab to fall in line with the typical recovery period for Tommy John patients, which is approximately 14 months. That timetable would return him to action by June 2016.

"Every guy who throws hard is eventually going to have it - more than likely," said Wheeler, who averaged the third-highest fastball velocity in the National League last year.

Mets officials exercised caution with Wheeler's teammate Matt Harvey, who remained sidelined from surgery for 18 months before he returned to the mound.

The 14-month timetable is also consistent with that of Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez, who's expected to return around the All-Star break this year. Wheeler said the Marlins right-hander reached out to him recently to offer advice.