Zack Wheeler is expected to remain with Triple-A Las Vegas and throw his between-starts bullpen session with the Pacific Coast League club before joining the Mets on Monday in Atlanta. He is expected to pitch the nightcap of Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Braves at Turner Field.
Terry Collins said the nighttime assignment is designed to keep Wheeler in a routine.
“We thought it would be better for him, more comfortable for him, to continue on what he’s used to doing, and that’s pitching the night game — give him a chance to get to the ballpark at his regular time, go through his regular routine, without having to get there in the morning at 9 o’clock and not maybe have enough time to get himself prepared,” Collins said.
Matt Harvey will start the 1:10 p.m. opener, which is a makeup of a May 4 rainout. Wheeler will start the 7:10 p.m. nightcap with family and friends in the stands at Turner Field; he lives about 30 miles away in Dallas, Ga.
As he inches ever so closer ton his major league debut, last night, Wheeler took to Twitter and thanked the fans:
https://twitter.com/Wheelerpro45/statuses/345697250023993344
https://twitter.com/Wheelerpro45/statuses/345697652865916928
Are you ready for Super Tuesday? 🙂
Original Post 6/13
Well, maybe Zack Wheeler just needed a vote of confidence from the front office, as he turned in a great performance on the heels of his promotion next week. Adam Rubin reported earlier in the day that Wheeler was on an 85-pitch count limit — and he made good use of all of those pitches. 52 out of his 85 pitches went for strikes.He allowed just one hit over five-and-two-thirds innings, a home run to Carlos Peguero, and two walks. He struck out seven and was pretty much dominant and in control the entire outing.
He walked Franklin Gutierrez before being lifted in favor in Jack Leathersich, who struck out Brad Miller to end the inning. His curveball and slider were on tonight, as if he had the adrenaline flowing the entire evening. His slider was working in the low-90’s, similar to Matt Harvey‘s, if my eyes didn’t deceive me. His fastball sat around the mid-90’s. He actually induced six groundouts over the course of the game, in contrast to one fly out.
Zack’s final line was: 5.2 IP, 1 H, 1 HR, 2 BB, 1 ER, 7 K
There’s not much else to say at this point..Wheeler is a talented pitcher and he will make his debut for the New York Mets next week, and we all wish him the best. I can’t explain how excited I am to see him finally take the mound for the MLB club — wearing the respected No. 45 to boot — and I think he’s going to try to make a name for himself that will hopefully last forever in New York City.
