Mets place Zack Wheeler on 10-day disabled list, recall Tyler Pill from Triple-A

Zack Wheeler‘s arm troubles are persisting as he lands back on the disabled list

The Mets have placed the right-hander on the 10-day disabled list after he suffered a stress reaction in his throwing arm. To take his place, the team has recalled Tyler Pill from Triple-A Las Vegas.

This is Wheeler’s second time on the disabled list this season. He landed on it at the end of last month with bicep tendonitis and would miss a couple of starts before returning and struggling again.

During his latest start on Saturday against the Oakland Athletics, the 27-year-old Wheeler gave up five runs on seven hits. He walked four and struck out six over five innings.

This season has been quite a struggle for Wheeler. He started out well as he made his big comeback from Tommy John surgery, but his latest performances have ballooned all his numbers. On the year, Wheeler is 3-7 with a 5.21 ERA. He’s thrown 86 1/3 innings, given up 97 hits, and walked 40 batters.

To take his place in the rotation, the Mets will ask Tyler Pill to make a couple of starts at least. It’s been a bitter pill to swallow every time he takes the mound in the big leagues so far. He’s lost three of his five starts this season and is sporting a 5.00 ERA in 18 innings.

The Mets’ disabled list starting pitchers now include Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey, Robert Gsellman, and Zack Wheeler. While Thor and Harvey have started their throwing programs this month, it’s not likely they’ll be back soon enough to help make a big impact on the end of the season for the Mets.

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They’ll have to rely on the likes of Rafael Montero, and Tyler Pill for the time being at the backend of the rotation with Jacob deGrom and Seth Lugo being the only real bright spots this season. It looks like it’s going to be a long August and September.