Jeremy Hefner will likely undergo Tommy John surgery to repair a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his right elbow. Hefner has yet to decide whether he will undergo the surgery, or seek a second opinion.
Hefner posted a 4.34 ERA in 23 starts with the Mets in 2013. However, don't let that number fool you. Through his first 18 starts (19 appearances), the 27 year old had a 3.33 ERA, making him the second best starter on the Mets behind Matt Harvey.
Recovery time to return from Tommy John surgery is generally one year, so if he decides to undergo the surgery, 2014 will likely be a lost season for him.
Hefner does indeed have an option left in his contract, so, according to Metsblog contributor Chris Walendin, "the Mets retain the flexibility to work him back as needed in 2015," if they choose to retain him.
This is really a shame. Assuming Hefner undergoes the surgery, he will be lost for the entire 2014 season. Hefner quietly had a nice season for the Mets in 2013, and if it wasn't for his last 2-3 starts that roughed him up, his numbers would have been very impressive.
Hefner has really made a name for himself ever since being claimed off of waivers by the Mets from the Pirates back in December of 2011. He went from a decent swing-man to a solid rotation piece, and his performance certainly opened some eyes in this organization.
As for Hefner's future, he is clearly done for the 2013 season. 2014 is not looking too good either. As Chris Walendin of Metsblog explains, the Mets could work out a deal with Hefner to bring him back in 2015, if they would like to keep him. I see no reason why they shouldn't do that, as Hefner has proven that he could have success at this level.
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