It's one of the pitching promotions people have been talking about for weeks and finally, Zack Wheeler is in the house. The Mets. No. 1 prospect was at Coca-Cola Field this afternoon and worked a side session in preparation for his first Triple-A start, scheduled for Sunday afternoon. Wheeler led the Eastern League with 117 strikeouts and was 10-6 with a 3.26 earned run average with Double-A Binghamton.
Wheeler met with members of the media before getting to work and said it's an honor to get up to Triple-A.
"It shows that I've done pretty good so far this year and put in a lot of work during the offseason," Wheeler said. "I'm trying to develop all my pitches and get my command a little bit better. Like I said it's an honor to be here."
Tonight, the Herd opens a four-game homestand against the Syraucse Chiefs. The Bisons have fallen off the playoff wagon, going just 3-7 in their last 10 games. They're a game ahead of Syracuse in the battle for last place in the International League North.
Lefty Garrett Olson starts for the Herd tonight. He is 4-6 with a 4.78 ERA. Since the All-Star break, he is 1-1 with a 2.77 ERA in 13 innings of work.
Tonight's Bison lineup:
Kirk Nieuwenhuis -- RF
Josh Rodriguez -- SS
Lucas Duda -- LF
Zach Lutz -- 3B
Adam Loewen -- 1B
Josh Satin -- 2B
Matt den Dekker -- CF
Mike Nickeas -- C
Garrett Olson -- P
--- Amy Moritz
