PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets’ new center fielder on Saturday was the old one.
Brandon Nimmo shifted to left field this spring following Harrison Bader’s arrival to play center but told team officials he will move around as needed.
With Bader getting a scheduled day off Saturday for the Mets’ 6-1 exhibiton win over the Astros in West Palm Beach, manager Carlos Mendoza spoke with Nimmo earlier in the week about playing center on this night.
Nimmo had no problem with the plan.
“This is something where communication is going to be the key,” Mendoza said. “He knew he was playing center field about six or seven days ago to make sure he’s getting his reps before he plays in a game and he’s getting some reads. He’s adjusting fine. This is a total pro.”
Tyrone Taylor is another option to play center field, but there are times Mendoza might want to get an extra left-handed bat into the lineup and play Joey Wendle at second, with Jeff McNeil in left and Nimmo in center.
“I’m going to try not to do it, as much as we can,” Mendoza said. “But if I am even considering it I will get ahead of things and give [Nimmo] a heads-up so he can prepare accordingly.”
McNeil will receive at-bats on the minor league side Sunday, according to Mendoza, instead of joining the Mets for their split-squad game against the Marlins at Clover Park. McNeil is now scheduled for a Tuesday debut in the Grapefruit League (the Mets are off Monday). McNeil was slowed earlier in camp by right biceps soreness.
“He’s feeling great,” Mendoza said. “But this is something we want to make sure that he’s under an environment and can control it. He’s going to go down [to the minor league side] and play five innings and get a few at-bats and hopefully everything comes out well and he will play on Tuesday.”
McNeil took batting practice against high velocity Saturday.
Edwin Diaz returned to camp following the birth of his third son, with wife Nashaly.
The right-hander is expected to pitch Sunday for his second appearance this spring in the Grapefruit League. In his first competitive action in almost a year, Diaz struck out the side in one inning of work on Monday.
