PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

Zack Wheeler, Mets

The road back from Tommy John elbow surgery took far longer than Wheeler or anyone else could have anticipated, but at least it has led back to a spot in the Mets rotation. After debating whether it would be better to conserve his innings by pitching him out of the bullpen or having him start the year in extended spring training, the Mets named Wheeler one of the five starting pitchers who will open the season with them. It might be hard to remember now, but Wheeler made more starts than any other Mets pitcher in 2014. He has made no major league starts since then, after an unsuccessful attempt to make it back last year.