MLB

Mets prospect Wheeler takes step back in Triple-A start

Zack Wheeler is still “close” to joining the Mets, but his performance yesterday for Triple-A Las Vegas did little to bolster his case.

The stud right-hander was removed against Salt Lake after four innings in which he surrendered five runs, three earned, on four hits and three walks with four strikeouts. Wheeler also gave up two home runs in the no-decision.

“Zack’s command was off today,” Las Vegas manager Wally Backman said. “We had him on a short pitch count [80 pitches] just to be cautious due to the fact he missed that one start and had 10 days off.”

But a high-ranking club official said he doubts Wheeler’s lackluster performance will translate into an additional stay in the minors. The official said Wheeler is expected to be promoted after making 1-2 more starts for Las Vegas.

“He’s on track,” the official said.

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Wheeler peaked at 99 mph on the radar gun yesterday, with “lots of 97s,” according to Backman.

Wheeler is 3-1 with a 4.13 ERA in 10 starts for Las Vegas. He has made two appearances since missing a scheduled start because of soreness in the AC joint in his right shoulder.

* Mark Teixeira and Kevin Youkilis, both on the disabled list, played in an extended spring training game yesterday in Tampa. Each got five at-bats and played five innings in the field.

Teixeira is scheduled to start a minor league rehab assignment tomorrow night for Double-A Trenton. There is a possibility Youkilis could join him.

“Tex feels good, but it’s tougher for him because he needs left-handed and right-handed at-bats,’’ manager Joe Girardi said of the switch-hitter. “Youk is getting closer, but with Youk and his back we have to know if he can go back-to-back-to-back.’’

According to Joe Girardi, Eduardo Nunez, also on the DL, didn’t do much yesterday. Andy Pettitte will throw a simulated game today, and if that goes well the veteran lefty could be activated from the DL Saturday.

* Ruben Tejada moved to the leadoff spot for the Mets, ending manager Terry Collins’ seven-game experiment using Daniel Murphy in that spot.

“As we move forward, [Tejada] has got to be the guy that leads off for us,” Collins said. “When he’s doing what he’s supposed to be doing, he has good at-bats, he battles at-bats.”

Tejada went 0-for-4 in the Mets’ 2-1 win.

“Dan’s done a nice job at leadoff, but he should be hitting where he’s hitting right now [second],” Collins said. “I told him Ruben is going to have to step up, work hard on getting on base and get back to hitting line drives.”

* A night after his two-run single in the eighth inning that helped sink the Braves, Ike Davis went 0-for-3 with three strikeoutsand his batting average fell to .155.

“[Sunday] night he got his hands up, tonight he didn’t get his hands up,” Collins said. “You watch the replays and he’s going out to get it. That head goes forward and the ball is coming in, they don’t mesh. It’s a habit that some of these guys create. One night they feel good about it and tonight with all the [hoopla] he felt like he had to go get one.”

Davis struck out four times against the Braves on Friday. He has struck out at least three times in six games this season.

* With the game at Citi Field, Girardi didn’t have the designated hitter.

“That’s a big bat to lose,’’ Girardi said of Travis Hafner, who was 2-for-13 (.154) with an RBI in the previous four games. “You look for that one spot, the key spot in the game that you can use him, and he can really make an impact.’’

Hafner 1-for-5 with a homer and RBI as a pinch-hitter after popping out to end the game.

* Former Mets and Yankees outfielder Darryl Strawberry was at Citi Field, signing autographs before the game.

george.king@nypost.com