The day is finally here Mets fans! We have been patiently waiting for Zack Wheeler to face live hitters since June, and I’m sure Wheeler has been just as antsy to begin facing hitters as well. Today marks the first time Wheeler will face live hitting since undergoing Tommy John surgery back in March of last year.

Hopefully Wheeler can begin a rehab assignment within the next week, and if he does that would place him back in the Mets rotation at the beginning of September. You would expect the Mets to give Wheeler the full 30 days to get back into form and he could provide a boost to the Mets rotation down the stretch. Barring a trade, Logan Verrett will continue to occupy the fifth spot in the Mets rotation until Wheeler is ready.

(*UPDATE: 11:34 am): Wheeler threw a successful session as he reported no problems and seemed to be hitting 90-93 mph according to the New York Post’s Joel Sherman. He will probably throw again sometime this week and then be sent on a rehab assignment barring any sort of setback.

(*UPDATE: 6:19 pm): Wheeler will begin his rehab assignment this Saturday.