PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Earlier this week, Mets manager Mickey Callaway approached Zack Wheeler to implore him not to worry about his role -- starter, reliever -- heading into Grapefruit League play. Concern yourself with throwing strike one, strike two, Callaway said. The rest will fall into place.
With that bit of encouragement, Wheeler thrived in his first spring game Friday, dialing his fastball up to 97 mph in a 15-pitch, scoreless first inning that catcher Travis d'Arnaud called "perfect." Wheeler and seven other Mets pitchers combined to strike out 13 batters in a 6-2 win over the Braves.