The Mets and pitcher Zack Wheeler avoided arbitration on Wednesday, agreeing to an $800,000 salary for the 2017 season.
Wheeler, 26, was entering his first of three years of arbitration eligibility. The right-hander hasn’t pitched since 2014 as he underwent Tommy John surgery in ’15 and then suffered several setbacks in his rehab.
Wheeler owns a solid 3.50 ERA with a 271/125 K/BB ratio across 285 1/3 major league innings. The Mets are counting on him to contribute this coming season, but whether he’ll do so out of the rotation or the bullpen remains to be seen.