Mets prospect Wheeler NY-bound for tests

ST. LOUIS -- Top prospect Zack Wheeler is heading to New York this week after all -- though not for the reason Mets fans had hoped.

Wheeler alerted Triple-A Las Vegas trainers on Monday of soreness in his right clavicle and the Mets, in what assistant general manager John Ricco termed a "conservative move," are flying him to New York for tests.

"I think we're being a little bit conservative given who it is," Ricco said.

Both Ricco and manager Terry Collins said they do not consider the injury serious, and that Wheeler should only miss one start. But it comes at a most inopportune time for Wheeler, who had turned around his rocky start to the season by going 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA, 19 strikeouts and three walks over his last three outings.

Both of the Mets' two top prospects will visit New York this week, with catcher Travis d'Arnaud also scheduled for a checkup on his fractured left foot. d'Arnaud is expected to miss at least another month.