FORT MYERS — Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler has a torn elbow ligament, a blow to a team hoping to compete for the playoffs after Matt Harvey's return from Tommy John surgery.
Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Wheeler, 24, has a complete tear, all but guaranteeing that he'll need elbow-replacement surgery and miss the season.
"It's a blow, but at the same time we knew there would be a lot of uncertainty surrounding Zack and his elbow over the course of the season," Alderson said during a telephone conference call. "We're obviously not happy he won't be with us."
Wheeler had MRI exams of his elbow in late September, January and Saturday, and Alderson said the first two did not show any ligament damage. The team did not restrict Wheeler's throwing program during the first three weeks of spring training, even though there was concern about his elbow.
Until Monday, Mets officials said Wheeler's latest MRI exam was only precautionary. Wheeler said he would have been able to throw through the pain had it been the regular season.
"He says he could have pitched, so I'm not that concerned about it," Mets manager Terry Collins said Sunday.
Alderson said the team was warned by doctors in January that Wheeler's elbow "was a concern and was going to have to be managed" this season.
"It wasn't clear that the ligament was involved at that time, but we understood that we were going to have to manage his medical condition over the course of this season," Alderson said. "When he complained of the elbow pain, it wasn't a surprise to us. What prompted the MRI on Saturday was, Zack had complained about the elbow in the past, but the area of pain had increased in size."
Wheeler was 11-11 with a 3.54 ERA in 32 starts last season. He struck out 187 in 1851/3 innings, and his 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings was sixth best among NL starters.
A'S PARK: New commissioner Rob Manfred said addressing the Athletics' desire for a new ballpark is a top priority, though he's unsure what influence his office can have on the matter. Manfred met with A's players as part of his spring training tour. Also, Oakland manager Bob Melvin named right-hander Sonny Gray his starter for opening day April 6 against the Rangers.
CIVIL RIGHTS GAME: The Dodgers will host the Mariners in baseball's annual Civil Rights Game on April 15, the 68th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the sport's color barrier.
INDIANS: Right-hander Gavin Floyd will have surgery on a fractured bone in his right elbow and may miss the season.
REDS: Left-hander Tony Cingrani is headed to the bullpen, leaving others to compete for three open spots in the rotation. Cingrani is coming off shoulder problems last season and was considered a leading candidate to regain a starting role.
RED SOX: Right-hander Joe Kelly left his start in the third inning with tightness in his right biceps.
ROYALS: Veteran infielder Rafael Furcal, 37, who's rehabbing a torn hamstring suffered while playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic, agreed to a minor-league deal.