NY Mets Lose Pitchers Josh Edgin, Zack Wheeler to Tommy John surgery

The New York Mets will lose two pitchers to Tommy John surgery.

The team's general manager Sandy Alderson announced that left-hander Josh Edgin, 28, will have the procedure done at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan sometime this week. The operation, which will replace a stretched ligament and examine a bone spur, will be done by team doctor, David Altchek.

"It was the best decision for my future and my family," Edgin said in a statement. "The Mets stood behind me 100 percent. I'm disappointed, because we have a heck of a team. My mindset is to be ready to go on Opening Day 2016."

Before deciding to have the surgery, Edgin had asked Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion. Without Edgin, the Mets will have a very right-handed heavy bullpen and will need to add left-handers to mix it up.

"We'll continue to look at our internal options and we'll explore things externally as well," Alderson said.

In the 2014 season, Edgin posted a 1.32 ERA with a 0.91 WHIP in 27.1 innings pitched over 47 games.

The Mets have also lost right-handed starting pitcher Zack Wheeler, 24. Wheeler sustained a torn ulner collateral and will most likely undergo Tommy John surgery as well. The operation, however, has not been scheduled yet.

"You're always prepared for bad news, but ... honestly, I have to say this kind of result is not totally unexpected," Anderson said according to Anthony DiComo.
Wheeler had elbow tenderness and was not able to pitch in this past Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals. His MRI revealed a torn ligament. Wheeler posted a 3.54 ERA, throwing 187 strikeouts over 185.1 innings. His record was 11-11 in 2014.

The recovery period for Tommy John surgery is 10 to 12 months. Both pitchers would miss the entire 2015 season.