NEW YORK -- New York Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler is due to undergo a minor surgical procedure to remove an undissolved stitch from last year's Tommy John surgery in his right forearm. The operation is not considered serious, and Wheeler may resume his normal pitching rehab within two weeks, after allowing the wound to heal.
Dr. David Altchek -- who performed Wheeler's original Tommy John surgery on March 24, 2015 -- also is scheduled to perform the follow-up procedure on Tuesday. It will be performed with a local anesthetic. The undissolved stitch officially is called a "suture knot" and caused irritation in the forearm.
Wheeler and Josh Edgin both were examined on Thursday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. Except for the stitch issue, Wheeler's MRI came back "super clean," a source added.
Wheeler originally intended to get on a mound in January for the first time since Tommy John surgery. However, given the success of Matt Harvey's elongated rehab period, the Mets have decided to wait roughly 15 months after the original operation to bring Wheeler back to the majors. So the target date for Wheeler joining the Mets rotation is July 1. He first pitched off a mound on Feb. 27.
The Mets are targeting May 1 for Edgin's return. He underwent Tommy John surgery with Altchek on March 17, 2015.
Wheeler and Edgin participated in Thursday's NL championship ring presentation at Citi Field and are due to be part of the pregame introductions before Friday's home opener against the Philadelphia Phillies.
