Wheeler was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday, Matt Ehalt of NorthJersey.com reports.
Wheeler failed to impress the organization over the past couple weeks of spring training and will head back down to Triple-A to open up the 2018 campaign and grow more comfortable with some mechanical adjustments he's making, according to Kristie Ackert of The New York Daily News. With Jason Vargas (hand) expected to open the season on the disabled list, it seems likely that Seth Lugo will serve as the fifth starter in the Mets' rotation. During 17 outings in the majors last year, Wheeler logged a 5.21 ERA and 1.59 WHIP with a 81:40 K:BB. Expect to see him back with the big-league club in the near future if he's able to work through his problems in Las Vegas.