New York Mets

Mets starting pitcher Jeremy Hefner turned in a quality start but did not factor in the decision Friday against the Braves.

Hefner allowed a two-run home run to Freddie Freeman in the first. then threw five scoreless innings. LaTroy Hawkins allowed a solo home run to Dan Uggla in the seventh inning, which tied the game. Hefner was charged with two runs and three hits over six innings. He struck out seven and walked two on 94 pitches.

Hefner has won in 10 starts. He is expected to make his next start Wednesday against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. He is 0-3 with a 6.55 ERA in five appearances (four starts) away from home.

It can probably go without saying, but now is absolutely the time to make a move for Zack Wheeler.

Even before Wheeler's return from shoulder inflammation Wednesday, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said he hoped to see the top prospect in the big leagues 2-3 starts after that. A Mets official confirmed that timetable Thursday, not that he needed to. Alderson is the one and only person who gets to decide when Wheeler arrives. Rarely is there so much clarity for a prospect with so much upside.

That's why you shouldn't hesitate to act. Wheeler has an ace pedigree and would be the highest-profile pitching prospect to reach the majors this year. Plus, the Mets wouldn't be calling him up as an injury fill-in or spot starter. Once he's here, he's here for good.

Mets reliever Jeurys Familia will begin a minor-league rehab assignment Saturday at Class A St. Lucie, according to ESPN.com Friday. Manager Terry Collins said Familia will pitch at Class A and Triple-A Las Vegas before the team considers bringing him back from the disabled list.

Familia has been out since May 12 with biceps tendinitis. 

Mets pitching prospect Zack Wheeler will make 2-3 starts in the minors before making his big-league debut, a team official told The New York Post Thursday.

Wheeler allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks over five innings in his first start Wednesday since being skipped in the rotation with soreness in the AC joint in his right shoulder. He clocked in at 100 mph, but was mostly in the 95-97 mph range in his last start.

Wheeler is 3-1 with a 3.91 ERA in nine starts with Triple-A Las Vegas. Barring any setbacks, he could make his debut at some point between June 6-11.

The Mets have no immediate plans to send first baseman Ike Davis down to Triple-A, but a source told the New York Daily News that a decision could be made after the weekend series against the Braves, beginning Friday. General manager Sandy Alderson is not in town until Monday, which could be a part of the reason a decision has not been made, according to the report. 

Davis is batting just .147 with a .482 on-base plus slugging percentage through the season's first 42 games, and rumbles about a possible demotion are growing louder by the day. He is 1 for his last 38 to drop him to last among qualified hitters in batting average.