Zack Wheeler Hits IL With Shoulder Fatigue at Worst Possible Time for His Trade Value
By Michael Luciano
With Brodie Van Wagenen's horrific offseason having knee-capped Mickey Callaway and the Mets this season, the team is widely expected to start selling at the trade deadline.
One piece who was almost considered a lock to be moved was starting pitcher Zack Wheeler. His trade value has now either taken a major hit or has evaporated completely, as the Mets placed the 29-year-old starter on the IL with shoulder fatigue.
Breaking: Zack Wheeler is being placed on the injured list with right shoulder fatigue, a source says.
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) July 15, 2019
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.
Wheeler was 6-6 with a 4.69 ERA over the course of the 2019 season. While he is hardly a player that a contender would gladly fork over half of their entire farm system for, his quality stuff is enticing enough for anyone looking to add a fourth or fifth starter to help them with a potential run towards October.
With yet another injury on the books, and a shoulder injury at that, trading for a pitcher who missed two entire seasons due to arm issues, and has now come down with a bum shoulder, hardly seems appealing.
Zack Wheeler is headed to the injured list with shoulder fatigue, which more or less destroys his trade value.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 15, 2019
He had interest far and wide across the league. Perhaps a team still takes a crack in hopes he returns, but the Mets' desire to cash in at the deadline has evaporated.
His latest injury means that Wheeler is likely going to stay in New York while the Mets sink further into mediocrity. A losing situation for all parties involved.