After a strong rookie season, Zack Wheeler's season has come to an end for less than desirable reasons. The Mets have decided to shut Wheeler down for the rest of the season due to the right-hander feeling shoulder stiffness after his last start.
Wheeler indicated that he doesn't think there's anything structurally wrong with his shoulder.
"It was a group decision. I'm 20 innings over what I had last year," Wheeler told ESPN New York. "It's a little stiff, so we're just being cautious."
While not quite replicating Matt Harvey's rookie season, Wheeler more than held his own during his rookie campaign, posting a 3.45 ERA and 4.14 FIP with an 84/46 strikeout to walk ratio in 100 innings of work. He was particularly effective after his first three starts in the big leagues. Since his fourth start on July 5, Wheeler posted a 3.11 ERA.
The Mets will likely go to a five-man rotation for the rest of the season, with Aaron Harang starting on Monday in Cincinnati.