Mets set Zack Wheeler’s innings limit for this season

Zack Wheeler‘s comeback this season will be closely monitored by the Mets staff this season, and they’re already setting limits to how far he should go in 2017.

Sandy Alderson was on MLB Network on Monday, and discussed Wheeler, and the innings limit the organization feels is appropriate for him to start. Alderson set they’re comfortable with 125 innings for the righty this season.

This specific target is a little bit more than what was expected. Originally, Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen had said that Wheeler’s limit would be in the low 100’s, which many took to mean it would be around 105 to 110.

Thankfully it seems like the Mets are okay with letting Wheeler get in an extra 15 innings this season, and feel his arm would be fine handling that load.

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If a difference of 15 innings doesn’t sound like much, consider it could potentially be another two or three starts for Wheeler if he’s kept at a five or six inning limit per game.

Setting this type of innings limit is important for Wheeler, and it shows a slight change in philosophy for how the Mets approach their young starters coming back from surgery. We all remember the debacle that occurred in the public’s eye when Harvey surpassed his innings limit in 2015. He’d eventually throw over 190 innings between the regular and postseason, and while there’s no direct connection between that and his struggles the following year, it was always in the back of everyone’s mind.

Fast-forward to Wheeler’s comeback, and the numerous setbacks he’s had must have had an impact on how the Mets decided to treat this situation.

Next: Mets 2017 Season Preview: What should we expect from David Wright?

I still believe he should start out in the bullpen, and not get a spot in the rotation until at least June. Have him work out of the bullpen for a couple of months and then stretch him out to start as the long summer days begin. That way, not only might you be able to give your starters an extra day off, but you might also be able to keep his innings down to a reasonable level so that he can still help the ball club in September.