Zack Wheeler wasn’t thrilled with a recent side session, but that didn’t bother Mets manager Terry Collins.
“I love that,” Collins said of Wheeler’s competitiveness, which led to his dissatisfaction with his workout.
Tonight in Milwaukee, Wheeler will take the hill for his fourth major league start, attempting to reverse the downward trend of his two most recent outings. The flame-throwing right-hander fired six shutout innings in his big-league debut against the Braves. But in his second start, he surrendered four runs in 5 1/3 innings versus the White Sox, and the next time out he was battered for five runs in 4 2/3 innings by the Nationals in his Citi Field debut.
Collins believes Wheeler can shrug off his struggles, confident he’s strong enough to live with them.
“Zack Wheeler has come off as a guy who’s going to be able to handle it,” Collins said. “I don’t think he’s going to have a tough time dealing with some tough outings.”
Collins also said he encouraged Wheeler not to deviate from what he does best.
“You have to pitch to your strengths. You can’t always pitch to the hitters’ weaknesses,” Collins said. “That was my whole message to Zack … ‘Don’t get away from your strengths. Just because so-and-so can’t hit a slider doesn’t mean you can’t get him out with your fastball.’ ”
Although Collins is confident in Wheeler’s makeup, the Mets are trying to protect the 23-year-old. Yesterday, the team attempted to shield Wheeler from talking to the media, although the Mets eventually relented.
Asked about his disappointing side session, Wheeler said: “Any pitcher who doesn’t throw a good side heading into the game, you don’t feel happy about it.”
* After yesterday’s 5-4, 15-inning loss to the Diamondbacks, the Mets designated righty reliever Brandon Lyon for assignment. Lyon, who pitched the 14th inning, allowing an RBI single to Martin Prado for a 4-3 Arizona lead, had allowed 13 runs on 28 hits and nine walks in his past 16 appearances (16 2/3 innings). Righty Greg Burke was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas to replace Lyon.
* David Wright said either Mets bullpen catcher Dave Racaniello or bullpen coach Ricky Bones will be the pitcher for his swings in the All-Star Home Run Derby. In the 2006 derby, former Mets catcher Paul Lo Duca did the honors for Wright’s session.
* Jon Niese’s MRI exam, scheduled for yesterday, will now be Monday because the doctor is on vacation. Niese has a partially torn rotator cuff, and the MRI is to check how it’s healing.