Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler likely headed for Tommy John surgery

Just as the New York Mets were set to welcome back their young ace from Tommy John surgery, another will fall victim to a blown elbow ligament.

Zack Wheeler has a torn ulnar collateral ligament, the Mets announced Monday, a condition that likely will require reconstructive surgery that will sideline the right-hander well into 2016.

It's a devastating blow for the Mets, who went the entire 2014 season without All-Star right-hander Matt Harvey, who blew out his elbow in August 2013.

Now, just as the bedraggled franchise seemed ready to contend, Wheeler, 24, will likely be out all of 2015.

Monday's announcement caps an odd few days for the club, which indicated last week that Wheeler would not undergo an MRI for what was described as tendinitis in his arm.

And it comes on the heels of losing reliever Josh Edgin to Tommy John surgery, as well.

One year after a near-record 31 major leaguers underwent Tommy John surgery, the 2015 spring is looking similarly grim. Wheeler and Edgin join Texas Rangers ace Yu Darvish and Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Brandon Cumpton in needing the surgery.

Wheeler has an 18-16 record and 3.50 earned-run average in 34 career starts, and pitched a career-high 185 1/3 innings last season, his second in the major leagues.

While the loss will be significant, starting pitching is actually an area of some depth for the Mets. Harvey will help front a rotation that will also include Bartolo Colon, 2014 NL Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom, lefty Jonathan Niese and Dillon Gee, who was considered possible trade bait.

Now, he'll be necessary depth as yet another pitcher blows out his elbow.​

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