Mets postpone Wheeler's return after elbow flare-up

The anticipated return of Zack Wheeler to the New York Mets by the All-Star break came to a halt Tuesday when the right-hander experienced discomfort in the elbow on this throwing arm, which will in turn push back his return date.

Wheeler, who was scheduled to pitch an inning during a simulated game this week, will instead be examined by team doctors on Wednesday at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

General manager Sandy Alderson told ESPN's Adam Rubin the extent of the injury is unclear, while MLB.com's Anthony DiComo reports that the team doesn't consider the setback serious.

"All I can say is he's had a little bit of elbow discomfort," Alderson said. "He hasn't thrown in a couple of days."

Wheeler underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2015 after tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

The former first-round draft choice of the San Francisco Giants, acquired by the Mets in exchange for Carlos Beltran in 2011, owns a 18-16 record in the bigs with a 3.50 ERA across 49 starts.