MLB

Backman: Mets prospect Wheeler on track

One day after Zack Wheeler opened the season for the Las Vegas 51s, the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate, manager Wally Backman likened the prized phenom to another hurler now making his living at Citi Field.

“He is the same spot [Matt] Harvey was at last year, I would say,” Backman said of Wheeler in a phone interview with The Post Friday. “It’s a matter of command. I think it’s going to be a matter of consistency.”

Wheeler took the mound for Las Vegas on Thursday night, but had difficulty with his command. The right-hander lasted only 3 1/3 innings because of a pitch count [he threw 86 pitches], allowing two earned runs on three hits with three walks. He struck out three, receiving a no-decision in the 51s’ 10-5 win over Sacramento.

Last season, for Triple-A Buffalo, Wheeler went 2-2 with a 3.27 ERA in six starts, striking out 31 in 33 innings. Wheeler walked 16 in those 33 innings, though.

“He struggled with command a little bit [Thursday night],” Backman said. “It was the first game. He was rushing a little bit. He showed signs of just dominating, and then he’d get a little bit erratic.”

Backman said Wheeler is “not far away,” and added, “I think the first pitch out of his hand was 98 [mph] on the board.”

* Mets manager Terry Collins changed his leadoff man for last night’s 7-5 loss to the Marlins, resting center fielder Collin Cowgill and using Jordany Valdespin atop the order for the first time this season. Collins had said on Thursday he planned to give Valdespin, Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Mike Baxter a start apiece during the this series. Valdespin played center field and had two hits along with a walk.

* Because of his oblique injury, Daniel Murphy tallied only 10 plate appearances in spring training. Still, it’s difficult for him to say whether yesterday felt like a normal April 5 or whether he feels as if he’s behind.

“It’s tough for me to say a normal April 5th,” Murphy said. “I haven’t had a lot of them. I’ve only been in the big leagues for a couple years. It’s a day at a time.”

Murphy entered Friday night 2-for-10 this season, but smacked a three-run homer in the seventh inning. His first home run last year didn’t come until June 27.

* Backman on the season debut of Travis d’Arnaud on Thursday: “Called a great game. Swung the bat very well.” The top prospect went 2-for-3 with two walks and four runs scored for Las Vegas.