The replay was better than the live performance.
After watching the video of Zack Wheeler’s start Sunday against the Nationals, Mets manager Terry Collins said there was plenty he liked, even if the results weren’t pretty.
“Actually he made some pretty good pitches, he just missed a couple of locations on some balls that came back to hurt him,” Collins said before the Mets beat the Diamondbacks, 5-4, in 13 innings last night.
“His velocity was actually better at times than what I saw on our scoreboard. That was what we saw on the replay of the game, so we’ve had the discussion with Zack about some things today, so we’re pretty excited about four days from now to get him back out there.”
Wheeler lasted only 4 2/3 innings against the Nationals and surrendered five earned runs on six hits and two walks. His next scheduled start is Friday in Milwaukee.
“We’re hoping he goes out there the next time out and throws the ball like we saw the first two times out,” Collins said. “I know he was all wrapped up in pitching good [Sunday] in his first home start, so hopefully he relaxes in his next one and gets him back into a groove where he’s more comfortable.”
* Ruben Tejada played nine innings yesterday in the Gulf Coast League and will continue his rehab at Triple-A Las Vegas. Collins indicated Tejada, who was struggling at the plate when he was placed on the disabled list on May 30 with a strained right quadriceps, will have to earn a promotion back to the majors.
“The last time he was here he was struggling, and in order to come back you’ve got to have some confidence in what you’re doing,” Collins said. “I wanted him to go down there and have some success, so when it’s time to come back here his game is where it belongs and where he feels good about it.”
* Yesterday was payday for Bobby Bonilla, who two years ago began collecting $1.19 million from the Mets every July 1 as part of a deferral arrangement with the team. Bonilla’s deferral payments run through 2035.
* Bobby BoniIf Collins decides to give Omar Quintanilla a day off at shortstop, it won’t come until the Mets’ next road trip. Jordany Valdespin, who has limited experience at the position, is the backup.
“Valdy hasn’t played there in a long time, so I don’t want to put him in a situation where he’s going to be embarrassed, especially here,” Collins said. “If he does play there it will probably be on the road somewhere.” Brandon Nimmo won the All-Star Sunday Futures Finalists ballot, MLB announced yesterday, beating out four others to make the U.S. squad. The game will be played July 14 at Citi Field. Rafael Montero and Noah Syndergaard are the other Mets prospects who will also participate in the game. … The Mets will call up pitcher Gonzalez Germen from Triple-A Las Vegas to add a fresh arm to the bullpen. A corresponding roster move will be made before tonight’s game.