Zack Wheeler has been frequently mentioned as a top target heading into the trade deadline later this month, but the New York Mets may have to hang onto him now.
Wheeler has apparently been experiencing discomfort in his throwing shoulder, and the Mets are placing him on the injured list with shoulder fatigue.
Breaking: Zack Wheeler is being placed on the injured list with right shoulder fatigue, a source says.
The IL move is retroactive to Friday, so the soonest he can return is July 23. That leaves Wheeler with two starts max before the trade deadline.
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) July 15, 2019
The Mets are 42-51 and expected to be sellers at the deadline, and Wheeler had turned into one of their most valuable pieces. The right-hander had reportedly drawn interest from the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and other teams. He is 6-6 with a 4.69 ERA this season.
It sounds like teams were already having trouble moving players leading into the deadline this year, so Wheeler is almost certain to remain with the Mets now.
