Mets' Edgin Opts For Tommy John Surgery; Wheeler Undergoes MRI
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (CBSNewYork/AP) — New York Mets reliever Josh Edgin is done for the season and will have elbow-ligament replacement surgery this week.
General manager Sandy Alderson updated the status of the left-hander on Sunday. The loss of Edgin puts the Mets' bullpen in a difficult spot.
Edgin had an MRI last week that showed a stretched elbow ligament and bone spur. The Mets gave him the option of pursuing non-surgical rehabilitation or Tommy John surgery. Edgin sought a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews before choosing to have surgery.
"The Mets stood behind me 100 percent," Edgin said, according to the team's official website. "I'm disappointed, because we have a heck of a team. My mindset is to be ready to go on Opening Day in 2016."
The 28-year-old was 1-0 with a 1.32 ERA in 47 appearances last season. He missed two weeks late in the season because of tendinitis and bone spurs in his elbow, and he received a platelet-rich plasma injection.
The only other left-handed relievers in camp are Sean Gilmartin and three pitchers with minor league contracts — Scott Rice, Dario Alvarez and Jack Leathersich.
"We're just going to take the best guys we can find," Mets manager Terry Collins. "You take guys who can get people out."
Collins also said he's not too worried about right-hander Zack Wheeler, who underwent an MRI on his tender throwing elbow Saturday.
"Everybody gets MRIs today. ... It's just what you do to protect yourself," Collins said after Sunday's 8-4 loss to Tampa Bay. "He had two MRIs this winter, both clean. He's had this elbow issue. Last summer there were two or three times during the year where it flared up and he skipped his bullpen between starts, but never missed a start. ... I'm not that concerned about it."
The 24-year-old Wheeler missed his start over the weekend due to the elbow issue. Collins hasn't been given an update -- and he considers that a good thing.
"If there was something serious, I'm sure the trainers would have ran me down in the dugout," Collins said.
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