Mets RHP Zack Wheeler gave his official diagnosis after hitting the IL on Monday, telling the media Tuesday it is a shoulder impingement that has been bothering him.

This is an ailment that Wheeler has dealt with in the past, noting that he began feeling it halfway through his start against the Yankees as well as the entire outing against the Phillies.

After receiving an MRI, Wheeler isn't too worried that this will keep him sidelined for too long.

"I've had impingements before, so I kinda knew what it was. But it doesn't really scare me," Wheeler said. "We got an MRI and it came back pretty much clean besides that. So I'm just happy it's nothing structural."

Manager Mickey Callaway said that the team didn't notice anything wrong with Wheeler's stuff during those starts, adding that "players play through a lot."

The righty didn't give a timetable for when he will return, but the Mets are hopeful that it will be just one start. He is eligible to be activated from the IL on July 22.

"I really don't want to set a timetable because you never know how your body is going to react to it," he said. "I don't even want to miss one start. It is what it is and you try to get back as soon as you can."

It couldn't be a worse time for Wheeler to hit the injured list, as he was expected to be made available for trade with the July 31 deadline right around the corner. A person close to SNY's Andy Martino said that he is fine, and should be able to make a start before that deadline so teams can double-check there isn't anything lingering if they do spark a trade.

Wheeler, who hears the rumors himself, admitted the timing isn't ideal.

"Honestly sometimes you think about it, sometimes you don't," he said about the rumors. "It could be bad timing, but I'm trying to get out there as soon as I can. Unfortunate it happened now I guess."

Whether or not Wheeler's trade value is damaged will depend on if he can return to the mound in time to bring his stock back up. So far this season, Wheeler hasn't pitched the same way as his 2018 season, owning a 4.69 ERA and a 3.66 FIP with 130 strikeouts in 119 innings.

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