Tebow sent to minors

PORT ST. LUCIE — Former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow got cut from the major-league squad Tuesday. After a month suiting up in the Mets’ bigleague clubhouse, Tebow got the news late Tuesday after he went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts in an exhibition against the Houston Astros. The lefty-hitting former Jets backup quarterback hit .056 in the Grapefruit League and had 11 strikeouts in 19 plate appearances.

He was a designated hitter only and never played the outfield, but Tebow was hampered by a sore left ankle that he injured after tripping on an outfield sprinkler head during drills earlier in camp. “It’s not like it’s a shock. It’s not like I was, ‘Oh my gosh,’” Tebow joked. “Continue to work. That’s really the focus. Unfortunately I couldn’t do as much as I wanted to with my ankle, which is kind of disappointing.”

Tebow, 30, will be reassigned to minorleague camp.

ZACK’S ROUGH NIGHT

Zack Wheeler, who is battling for one of three open spots in the Mets rotation, didn't do himself any favors when he pitched a dud against the Nationals Tuesday night at Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.

“It wasn't ideal for me, but you take some of the goods and bads out of it,” said Wheeler, who gave up five earned runs on seven hits, while walking two and whiffing three. “My command was a little off today, but my fastball had good movement. Slider, couldn’t really throw for a strike today, but it had good movement.”

Wheeler said he hasn’t been told he’s headed to the bullpen yet.

“Until they tell me, I’m going out there and pitching, trying to get one of the spots,” said Wheeler, whose spring training ERA ballooned to 6.75. “That's all I can really worry about is just trying to stay healthy.”