Dan

Wheeler

“I’m going to lean towards Wheeler,” Garner said. “The problem is you’ve go to set up your bullpen to get there. When ( Chad) Qualls, Wheeler and Lidge are doing the job, it makes it quite clear for everybody. Now it’s going to have to be Lidge, Qualls and Wheeler or Qualls, Lidge, Wheeler or some other combination in the seventh and eighth.” Wheeler hasn’t allowed a run in his past 13 outings.

The save opportunity was Wheeler’s first since August 4 despite Brad Lidge’s struggles. However, manager Phil Garner said last week that Wheeler could expect more save chances in the near future while in a closer-by-committee approach. He has to be active in all formats.

Wheeler should be ready to rock after a day or two of rest. The right-hander has posted a 4.38 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 39/8 K/BB ratio in 49 1/3 innings this season.

Wheeler has not pitched since September 7 because of forearm tightness and will not be ready to return soon. “I’m throwing with some more intensity and I’m hoping to try it off the mound in a day or two,’’ he said. It sounds like the Red Sox won’t have him until the ALCS in a best-case scenario.

Wheeler has a 1.46 ERA in 12 appearances since joining the Astros, so he’ll be missed.

Wheeler, who signed a minor league deal over the winter, surrendered 13 runs over 11 innings this spring. However, the veteran right-hander has a lengthy track record of success and should fit nicely in Cleveland’s bullpen.

Wheeler entered play on Sunday with a mediocre 4.76 ERA. His performance in Cleveland’s 12-1 loss to Boston later in the day sealed his fate. Wheeler allowed six runs on five hits and a walk in one inning, swelling his ERA to 8.76 and WHIP to 1.95. With an unsightly 2/7 K/BB ratio over 12 1/3 innings, improvement didn’t appear imminent. He’ll probably clear waivers, though Wheeler did post a decent 4.38 ERA and 39/8 K/BB ratio across 49 1/3 innings last season with the Red Sox.

Jason Donald and Shelley Duncan have also made the club, while Matt Pagnozzi, Gregorio Petit and Felix Pie will not but will remain in big league camp for now. Wheeler holds an 8.00 ERA this spring but has recorded nine strikeouts.

He’ll be available out of the pen tomorrow.

Wheeler was 2-2 with a 4.38 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 2011. After returning from the disabled list, he posted a 1.53 ERA from mid-May through the beginning of September, when he struggled due to forearm tightness. Wheeler, a Type B free agent, had no buyout in his contract.