PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler, who has spent nearly two full years attempting to return from Tommy John surgery, felt some "tenderness" in his right elbow during a routine bullpen session earlier this week, according to pitching coach Dan Warthen. The Mets have paused Wheeler's throwing program.
Warthen said he does not consider this a setback for Wheeler because a routine physical exam taken Monday revealed no structural damage. Still, the Mets plan to treat Wheeler "with kid gloves" this spring. He is battling Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo for the fifth starter's job in the Mets' rotation.