MIAMI — His promotion to the major leagues may be just days away, and Saturday night Zack Wheeler gave the Mets no reason to believe he is going to need much more seasoning.
Pitching for Triple-A Las Vegas in Fresno, Calif., the Mets’ next big thing went six innings and allowed three hits and one earned run while striking out six. Wheeler, who left the game for a pinch hitter with a 2-1 lead in the seventh, threw 95 pitches, 62 for strikes.
The stud right-hander is expected to make his major league debut as soon as the Mets’ next homestand. He entered last night with a 3-1 record and a 4.13 ERA for the 51s.
* Rick Ankiel might give the Mets the best chance to win now, but rookie Juan Lagares could be part of the future equation. That is the tightrope manager Terry Collins walks in trying to figure out the team’s situation in center field.
Lagares was on the bench Saturday and entered as a pinch-hitter, going 0-for-1 in the Mets’ 8-1 loss to the Marlins. Ankiel started and went 0-for-2 with a walk. With the Mets in a stretch of games against right-handed starters that extends deep into the week, Collins hinted he might soon disrupt the straight platoon he has employed in center.
“We’ve got to start taking a look at Juan against right-handed pitching,” Collins said. “We’ve got to put him out there. We’ve got to make sure he understands what he’s got to do to play here, because he is part of that young bench that’s going to be the future here.”
Lagares is batting .146 with a homer and two RBIs in 48 at-bats since his arrival from Las Vegas on April 23.
“He does pay attention on the bench,” Collins said. “He’s watching, he’s learning and we’re hoping some of that pays dividends down the road.”
* Jon Niese, who was scratched from Saturday’s start because of left shoulder tendinitis, said he expects to take his next turn in the rotation. Niese plans to throw on Tuesday before having a full bullpen session on Wednesday to test the shoulder. Because of tomorrow’s scheduled off day, Collins could push back Niese a day to Saturday if needed.
* Omar Quintanilla was 2-for-3 Saturday, giving him consecutive multi-hit games. Quintanilla singled leading off the game and again in the third inning, on a day the Mets managed only five hits.
* Tim Byrdak, recovering from surgery to repair a torn anterior capsule in his left shoulder, made an extended spring training appearance in Port St. Lucie. The Mets are hopeful the lefty reliever can return in July.