It’s been expected all along that the Mets would keep prospect right-hander Zack Wheeler in the minors until June, in part to delay his service time, but here we are. Mike Puma of the New York Post was told by a “high-ranking team official” that Wheeler is expected to make 2-3 starts with Triple-A Las Vegas before joining the Mets. This would place his major league debut somewhere in the range of June 6 or 11.
Wheeler recently had a minor scare due to some soreness in the AC joint in his right shoulder, but everything checked out OK. For what it’s worth, the team official told Puma that Wheeler may have already been in the majors it wasn’t for the minor setback. It ends up making for a convenient excuse in the end, as the Mets won’t have to worry about his Super Two status by early June.
Wheeler, 22, allowed three runs in five innings in his return to action Wednesday and owns a 3.91 ERA and 49/20 K/BB ratio in 48 1/3 innings over eight starts this season in Triple-A. Matt Harvey’s early success has set the bar pretty high, but the Mets are hoping Wheeler can be the next core piece in their rebuilding effort.
