Tim Tebow could get into exhibition games with New York Mets this week

March 6 (UPI) -- The New York Mets' most famous minor-leaguer soon will get his chance to face major league pitching.

Tim Tebow will be available for split-squad Grapefruit League games against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday and against the Houston Astros on Friday, multiple media outlets reported Sunday.

The outfielder, a former Heisman Trophy winner, reportedly will appear in the Mets' home games each day, which figures to be good for the box office. The Wednesday game is scheduled to air in the New York area on SNY.

USA Today reported that Tebow isn't expected to start either game.

Tebow will get his shot in part due to the World Baseball Classic. The Mets will see 14 players leave their camp in the next few days to join their national teams for the start of the international tournament, leaving vacancies for minor-leaguers to fill.

Tebow made his pro baseball debut last year in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .192 with two RBIs in 19 games.

The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner, Tebow hadn't played baseball since high school before he signed with the Mets last year. He starred as the quarterback of the University of Florida football team from 2006 to 2009, then was a first-round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2010. He made 14 starts for the Broncos in 2010 and 2011 combined, and he guided Denver to a playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in January 2012.

Tebow spent the 2012 season as a backup quarterback with the New York Jets but hasn't appeared in an NFL game since. He subsequently became a college football television analyst before announcing his intention to pursue a baseball career.