Morning Notes & Thoughts: On Wheeler, Davis, & Mejia

Here are this morning’s pertinent news items…

Zack Wheeler is “Two or Three” Starts Away:

Yesterday afternoon, Mark Hale of the New York Post, citing a Mets source, reported that Zack Wheeler will be promoted to the Mets after two or three more starts in AAA.  Later, Andy Martino of the Daily News confirmed Hale’s report.  The fact that Wheeler is expected to make his major league debut in a few weeks is far from a surprise.  A few nights ago, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson intimated as much when he joined Ron Darling and Gary Cohen in the broadcast booth for an in-game interview.

Feb 23, 2013; Port St Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (65) throws in the third inning during a spring training game against the Washington Nationals at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Alderson has maintained since before the season that Super Two status wouldn’t be the deciding factor as far as Wheeler’s date of promotion.  However, it’s clear that at this point, the Mets will wait until the Super Two date has passed to make the call for Wheeler.  They’ve waited this long, and there’s simply no reason to risk Wheeler meriting Super Two status and the extra year of salary arbitration that would come with it.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, the projected Super Two cutoff date is June 3rd.  Assuming Wheeler stays on regular rest, it’s likely that his debut will be either June 6th (in Washington), June 11th (at home against the Cardinals), or June 16th (at home against the Cubs).  If the Mets alter his schedule, they could potentially call him up during their five game series in Atlanta that begins on June 17th.

If I had to guess, I’d expect the Mets to wait until either June 11th or June 16th to promote Wheeler (to be certain that he doesn’t qualify for Super Two status). That would mean three or four more AAA starts for Wheeler before he says goodbye to Vegas.

Ike Davis is on Thin Ice:

Ike Davis, who is 1 for his last 38 and is hitting .147 with a .236 OBP, is still with the Mets.  Despite his offensive struggles and his recent lapses in the field, Davis is still with the club.  His time, however, may be running out.  According to the beat reporters, if Davis doesn’t break out of his slump this weekend against the Braves, he’ll likely be demoted to AAA Las Vegas.

Frankly, I was surprised that Davis wasn’t sent down yesterday during the team’s off day.  I realize that Davis rebounded from his nightmarish start last season, but this year feels different.  In addition to his woeful offensive production, Davis is costing the Mets in the field.  If the errors Davis was making at first base were aggressive errors, it’d be understandable.  However, the miscues Davis is making have been of the head scratching variety.

Regardless of what Terry Collins says, Davis is clearly allowing his offense to negatively impact his defense.  In addition, unlike last year, the fans have started to lustily boo Davis after each out he makes.  I hope Ike breaks out of it and starts spraying line drives all over the field this weekend.  If he doesn’t, though, it’ll be time to send him down.

Jenrry Mejia Solid in Second Rehab Start:

Yesterday in St. Lucie, Jenrry Mejia made his second rehab start.  Over five innings, Mejia allowed two runs, walked one, and struck out eight.  The Mets have been switching Mejia back and forth from the rotation to the bullpen over the last few seasons, but the expectation is that he’ll be a bullpen option when he’s ready to contribute again at the big league level.

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