Darvish deal may thaw FA market
P ORT ST. LUCIE — Zack Wheeler’s desire to return to the Mets this season fully healthy is off the charts. Here is what you don’t know about Wheeler fighting his way back:
In an effort to overcome the stress reaction in his right arm, Wheeler did not pitch last season after July 22, but to give himself an even better chance to be healthy for 2018, the right-hander went the extra mile.
“It needed two full months of rest. I got that, and then I’ve been taking these shots every day for the past six months. The medicine is called Forteo and it is supposed to strengthen your bones, so hopefully that helps,’’ Wheeler told The Post.
Two months of rest should have healed his arm, but Wheeler wanted to make sure the problem was fixed.
“You do a shot in your stomach every day for six months. It’s not fun, but you got to do it,’’ Wheeler told me. “They give it to people with brittle bones, osteoporosis. My arm feels great. I’ve been on the mound six times now so if this helps me get to 30 starts, I’m all for it.’’
Forteo, according to its website, is a prescription medicine that is like a hormone made by the body called parathyroid hormone or PTH. Forteo may help to form new bone and to increase bone mineral density and bone strength.
Wheeler completed the injections a week ago. He is coming to camp this weekend with something to prove.
“I’m just kind of tired of getting labeled as unreliable, as ‘ He’s always hurt,’ ’’ Wheeler said. “I missed two seasons but that was because of one injury [for which he had Tommy John surgery]. I can’t help that. I worked my butt off in rehab, was doing great and then this bone issue.’’
Wheeler, 27, missed all of 2015, the Mets’ most recent World Series season, and 2016 coming back from Tommy John surgery. He said he has had it with being on the disabled list.
“I changed my workout routine, I’m eating healthier, taking protein shakes, doing everything to be out there for 30 starts,’’ said Wheeler, who finished 3-7 with a 5.21 ERA over his 17 starts last season.
“I have a little chip on my shoulder and I want to battle and be in the World Series, I saw [Jacob] deGrom told you that the other day. I missed those years we were in the playoffs so I want to get back, get out there and pitch with these guys.
“I had no problems with my elbow last year, it was strong, my velo was there, I could flip the curve ball, throw the slider. Everything was there. Then this bone thing started sneaking up on me and kind of ruined my season.’’
Wheeler is hopeful the medication and rest will work and 2018 will be a much different season, with new manager Mickey Callaway and pitching coach Dave Eiland. Wheeler already has one victory under his belt, winning his arbitration case. He will be paid $1.9 million; the Mets offered $1.5 million.
“I’ve thrown six bullpens and have been following Mickey and Dave’s throwing program,’’ he said. “My arm is feeling good, feeling strong, hopefully this will be a big year for me.
“I think everybody is getting tired of being hurt or getting labeled and stuff. I know [Matt] Harvey, he worked his butt off this offseason, he wants to get back to where he was,’’ Wheeler said. “He’s been hurt a couple of times and people are starting to say stuff about him, but some things you can’t help. Guys have that drive they all want to go out there every fifth day. Everybody wants to come back strong.’’ Not just pitchers. “I know [Yoenis] Cespedes wants to come back strong,” Wheeler said, “[Michael] Conforto, T.J. Rivera. Everybody has something to prove.’’ Wheeler has insight into Eiland. “My brother Adam had Dave as a pitching coach in the minors with the Yankees and he said he helped him out a lot,” he said, “so I am looking forward to working with him.’’
Zack Wheeler has done all he can to be ready, now he wants to stay healthy, learn and let his talent flow.
TAMPA — The Yankees were always longshots to wind up with Yu Darvish, and on Saturday, they found out the right-hander had landed on another team with World Series aspirations — the Cubs.
While general manager Brian Cashman and Darvish both acknowledged mutual interest this offseason, a match was impossible without the Yankees moving at least one significant contract to allow them to stay under the $197 million luxury-tax threshold.
That mandate, set by managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner, meant the Yankees couldn’t add Darvish — who got a reported sixyear, $126 million deal that could be as much as $150 million with incentives from the Cubs — without trading someone like Jacoby Ellsbury.
But Darvish’s signing still could impact the Yankees — and much of the rest of baseball.
The biggest signing thus far in a free-agent market nearly devoid of action, Darvish’s deal to go to Chicago could spark more action, with plenty of impact starting pitchers still available.
Jake Arrieta, now that Darvish is in Chicago, certainly will be looking for a new home. And while he and Darvish are too pricy for the Yankees’ current needs, there at least is a market set for the top pitchers. And the Yankees can turn their attention to adding a pitcher at a cheaper price.
If they are unable to shed any salary — and so far they haven’t found any takers for Ellsbury and the $68 million he’s owed over the next three seasons — the Yankees figure to have roughly $15 million to spend this offseason in order to leave enough room to stay under the threshold.
Among the pitchers who remain without jobs are Alex Cobb and Lance Lynn, and the Yankees might not be able to add either of them without making at least another small move.