PORT ST. LUCIE — Easing into the Grapefruit League wasn’t an option Zack Wheeler considered Friday.
Given the Mets’ first start of the spring, the right-hander brought 97-mph heat against the Braves over a scoreless inning in his team’s 6-2 victory at First Data Field.
Wheeler, who is competing for a spot in a potentially crowded rotation, allowed one hit and struck out two in the 15-pitch performance.
“Nothing is going on [physically] and I’m healthy and just trying to concentrate on throwing strikes,” said Wheeler, who missed the final two months of last season with a stress injury to his right arm.
Manager Mickey Callaway received what he expected from Wheeler.
“He was out there getting after it,” Callaway said. “He knows that he has great stuff and he knows that he hasn’t been healthy and he knows that he has to earn a position and he went out there today and that was very good.”
Wheeler said a conversation he had with Callaway earlier in the week helped relax him as he deals with the uncertainty of his role, following the addition of left-hander Jason Vargas.
“Mickey came up to me the other day and said, ‘Don’t worry about all that kind of stuff,’ ” Wheeler said. “Just keep your head down, go about your business and go out there and try to to win a job and that is my goal and it starts with what they want, and that’s getting ahead of hitters and throwing strikes and staying healthy.”