Zack Wheeler in danger of losing rotation Spot with Mets

On March 19, the New York Post published an article about how the New York Mets would finally trout out their “Fab Five” rotation of Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, Steven Matz, and Zack Wheeler when the season opens next week at Citi Field.

It appears, however that those best laid plans are on hold now after Wheeler failed in his latest opportunity to nail down the fifth starter spot on Thursday night against Washington. 

Wheeler lasted only two innings, allowing five runs, three earned on seven hits. While he didn’t walk a batter, the fact is Wheeler was hit hard early and often as the Nationals scratched out a 5-0 lead on the Mets.

After 58 pitches, Mickey Callaway saw enough and pulled the plug on Wheeler, giving the ball instead to Seth Lugo to quiet the storm.

Lugo answered the call. He shut down the Nationals over the next four innings, allowing only two hits, while striking out five.

With Jason Vargas still sidelined by hand surgery to remove hamate bone, Lugo has now entered the conversation for the fifth starter spot.

Looking at the numbers and the performances this spring, Lugo has earned the right to take the spot away from Wheeler. Heck, Lugo deserves to be on this team, period.

Lugo has proven to be versatile, coming in relief six times and starting another game this spring. Through 15.2 innings, he has allowed only five runs, walked three and struck out 17. Those numbers are good enough to give Lugo a 2.87 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP. Not bad at all.

Very early in camp, Mickey Callaway preached versatility as a major contributing factor he looks for in his pitchers. Lugo fits the bill, showing to be both dependable both as a starter or reliever for the Mets in his two short stints with New York in 2016 and 2017.

As for Wheeler, he hasn’t been good. This was a golden opportunity for a guy who won his arbitration case against the Mets to prove he was the better starter than Jason Vargas, especially with Vargas out with an injury to start the season. However an ERA of 8.10 in five appearances and four starts is not going to endear much confidence.

Not to mention there were already reservations about Wheeler coming out of the bullpen, particularly on his arms ability to recover quickly.

If the Mets decide the Wheeler needs more work, he is going to have to accept assignment to Triple-A.

There is precedence for starting pitchers to head to the minor leagues to work on their mechanics only to come back to be a serious contributor in the majors. Just look at Steve Trachsel.

 In 2001, the Mets optioned Trachsel to Triple-A Norfolk when he was 1-6 with an ERA of 8.24. When he returned he was a totally different pitcher. Much more confident and affective in his approach, Trachsel won 11 games and lowered his season ERA to 4.46. At times that year, Trachsel was the Mets most reliable starter.

Can Wheeler be the guy the Mets hoped he would be? Can the Mets have a Fab Five at some point this season? They could, but it is up to Wheeler to figure it out.