MIAMI — In setting a date for Zack Wheeler’s major league debut, the Mets are considering a variety of factors.
Wheeler, the organization’s top pitching prospect, is certain to make at least one more start for Triple-A Las Vegas after allowing one run over six innings for the 51s on Saturday.
There was some thought the Mets should have promoted Wheeler to pitch Saturday against the Marlins — Collin McHugh was selected instead and struggled — but with the Super-2 arbitration cutoff so close, the organization rightfully wasn’t going to chance bringing up the right-hander and then potentially watch him become arbitration eligible after the 2015 season for failure to keep him in the minors a few additional days. The team also thought it wasn’t prudent to promote Wheeler for one start and then return him to Triple-A.
Make no mistake: At this juncture, the Mets are carefully monitoring the Super-2 cutoff, which they believe will come after June 8, and trying to find the right spot for Wheeler.
The Mets’ next homestand is the target, with the organization sensitive to putting Wheeler in an optimum position to succeed for his debut. That would mean a strong preference to pitching Wheeler against the struggling Cubs on the weekend of June 14-16 instead of against the NL Central-leading Cardinals in the previous series.
Team brass also isn’t high on the idea of having Wheeler make his major league debut in Atlanta — despite the fact the Mets will need another starter for a scheduled doubleheader on June 18 — because of the proximity to Wheeler’s hometown of Dallas, Ga. The Mets believe Wheeler will have enough jitters pitching in the majors for the first time and won’t need the added pressure of pitching in front of a large contingent from his hometown.
Wheeler has made 11 starts for Las Vegas and is 4-1 with a 3.86 ERA. In 58 1/3 innings, he has allowed 52 hits and struck out 59 with 24 walks. He missed one start for Las Vegas because of soreness in the AC joint in his right shoulder and also battled a blister problem earlier in the season.