NEW YORK -- In a situation that could have a ripple effect for teams throughout the league seeking starting pitching, Zack Wheeler threw a 30-pitch live batting practice session on Tuesday at Citi Field with no ill effects. Wheeler remains in line to start Friday against the Pirates, in what amounts to a one-game audition prior to the July 31 Trade Deadline.

“He did look good,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. “The stuff was coming out good, the control, the command was there. The break on his pitches seemed to be in line with what you want to see. And more importantly, he said he felt good while he was going.”

Sidelined since July 7 due to a right shoulder impingement, Wheeler understands that his next start could be his last with the Mets. His 130 strikeouts in 119 innings this season make him attractive to teams including the Astros, Twins, Braves, Brewers and Yankees, all of whom are seeking starting pitching, while the Mets’ fourth-place standing leaves them with little choice but to entertain offers for the impending free agent. In 19 starts overall, Wheeler is 6-6 with a 4.69 ERA.

“He’s dealt with it fine,” Callaway said. “The one thing about Zack is, he doesn’t worry about it too much. He’s a pretty laid-back guy. He loves to go out there and pitch. So he’s really focused on that fifth day. I don’t think that the rest of it bothers him. He knows he can’t control it. We’ve talked to him about it and he understands the situation. He understands that it’s out of his control. He just wants to go out there and be great.”

Friday against the Pirates, Wheeler will be on a pitch count of approximately 75-85 pitches as the Mets look to ease him back into action. The fact that rival scouts will be in attendance is nothing new for Wheeler, who came to the Mets' organization on a Deadline deal for Carlos Beltran in 2011. Four years later, the Mets nearly dealt Wheeler to the Brewers, before medical issues scuttled that trade. As recently as last summer, as the Mets fell out of contention, the 29-year-old was a constant subject of trade rumors.

“I’ll try to just go out there and get a win, and concentrate on that,” Wheeler said of his Friday start. “I’m here now, so this is what I’m worried about.”

Good fundies
After dropping three of four games in San Francisco this weekend, the Mets spent some additional time on the field early Tuesday afternoon, running through Spring Training-style fielding drills for both their pitchers and position players. Callaway indicated he wanted the Mets to refocus following an off-day Monday.

“Just a day off, lets guys get going again,” Callaway said. “We had a long road trip. We didn’t want them to be stiff.”

Tebow to IL
A left hand laceration forced Tim Tebow to the Triple-A injured list on Tuesday, the Syracuse Mets announced.

“He’ll be out for as long as it takes to heal, get back on track,” manager Tony DeFrancesco told the Syracuse Post-Standard. “It’s just kind of in an awkward spot between his index finger, his ring finger and pinkie.”

In 77 games at Triple-A, Tebow is batting .162 with four home runs.

Fair or fowl?
Over the All-Star break, the Mets installed Chick Fil-A ads on each of Citi Field’s foul poles. The advertisements extend into fair territory, increasing the chances players might hit them with home runs.

Mets to host national campaign
Mets trainers Brian Chicklo and Joe Golia will participate in the national Promoting a Lifetime of Activity for Youth (PLAY) campaign Wednesday at Citi Field. Created in 2004 by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society, PLAY has conducted more than 350 events inside all 30 Major League ballparks, reaching tens of thousands of America’s young people with positive messages about making healthy decisions and living a more active and healthy lifestyle.