Major League Baseball

Mets send RHP Zack Wheeler to minors; Lugo likely to start

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:57 p.m. ET

NEW YORK (AP) Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler will begin the season in the minors after squandering an opportunity to secure a rotation spot during spring training.

New York optioned the oft-injured Wheeler to minor league camp Saturday. The right-hander, who has made only 17 major league starts over the last three years, gave up 22 hits and compiled an 8.10 ERA in 10 Grapefruit League innings.

Wheeler will start the season with Triple-A Las Vegas. Seth Lugo is likely to open as the No. 5 starter for the Mets while newcomer Jason Vargas recovers from surgery for a broken bone in his right (non-pitching) hand.

''It was very difficult,'' manager Mickey Callaway said in Jupiter, Florida, where the Mets lost to the St. Louis Cardinals 8-7 in an exhibition game. ''I think that Wheeler's got a lot to offer the team. I think that we all feel - I think even Wheeler feels - that there's some things to work on. In my mind he needs to get out there and pitch consistently and I think being in the Triple-A rotation will allow him to do that.''

A highly touted prospect, Wheeler pitched pretty well for New York from 2013-14. He missed the next two seasons following Tommy John surgery and finally returned last year, going 3-7 with a 5.21 ERA in 86 1/3 innings. He lost his last five decisions and didn't pitch after July 22 because of a stress reaction in his right arm.

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