Zack Amazin’ but still may get bumped
MIAMI — Zack Wheeler earned another start in the big leagues. The righthander, who was demoted to the minor leagues this spring, pitched the longest and most dominant game of any Mets starter yet this season, beating the Marlins, 4-1, in Miami. And yet, there are no guarantees for Wheeler, who became the odd-man out when the Mets signed veteran lefty Jason Vargas this spring.
“I would assume so,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway said with a smile, before quickly backing away from it. “But, we’ll have to see obviously. I think that Vargas is starting Thursday in another sim game, so the way the days line up there, we’ll just have to see.”
Wheeler allowed one run on two hits. He walked one and struck out seven and was the first Mets starter to go seven innings this season. He allowed a home run to Miguel Rojas in the first and then settled back down. He retired the last 16 hitters he faced.
“Yeah. I mean I was trying to go out there and throw strikes, get quick outs, go deep into the game,” said Wheeler, who threw 83 pitches.
Wheeler did everything that was asked of him when he was demoted in March. He came up and attacked hitters, pounded the strike zone, got ahead and was efficient.
He hopes that made enough of a statement that he can stick around.
“I think so. I was able to pound the zone, throw some good quality strikes,” Wheeler said. “My slider was working well. Offspeed was working. Was able to command the fastball for the most part. It was good.”
When Vargas is ready to return from the disabled list, the Mets will have a decision again. Vargas, who fractured his right hamate bone in spring training, is scheduled to throw a simulated game Thursday. He would possibly still need at least one minor league rehab game before he could return, so Wheeler could get another start.
But the Mets signed Vargas to a two-year, $16 million deal to start, so he will take back that spot in the rotation. Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman are pitching well in the bullpen, so Wheeler may have to head back down.
“When we made the decision in spring, we wanted Zack in this role, ready (in Triple-A) if anything happened,” Mets assistant GM John Ricco said. “We’ll see what happens.”
CESPEDES STILL GRINDING
Just as he promised, Yoenis Cespedes was back in the Mets lineup Wednesday night and went 0-for-3 with an intentional walk. The slumping slugger has refused days off for five straight games despite fighting through fever and flu-like symptoms. Cespedes feels strongly that he has to hit his way out of this slide. But first-year manager Mickey Callaway keeps asking if Cespedes would like to rest.
“At some point we have to do the right thing. I just want to make sure he’s taken care of,” Callaway said. “The thing that would be concerning as a manager is if his condition or his appearance starts to affect him mentally, then that’s the time to get him out and step in and say you need a day no matter what. As long as he’s locked in and ready to play, he’s going to play.”
SWARZAK STILL WAYS AWAY
There is no update on righthanded reliever Anthony Swarzak, who is on the disabled list with a strained left oblique, Ricco said. He is still “weeks away” from returning. … There is also no change in third baseman David Wright’s status, Ricco said. The Mets captain, who has not played in a game since May 2016, was shut down from baseball activities last month.