PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets’ first full squad workout yesterday meant Jason Bay and Carlos Beltran following each other into the batter’s box — a sight seen only briefly last season — but also two new arms and a familiar one displaying promise.
Chris Young, Chris Capuano and Oliver Perez all had solid workouts for the Mets, giving pitching coach Dan Warthen reason to smile. Young and Capuano, particularly, figure into the Mets’ plans this season. Both pitchers, coming off arm injuries, are competing for spots in the starting rotation.
“These guys have thrown more pitches probably than anybody since they’ve been down here,” Warthen said, referring to Young and Capuano. “They have shown no ill-effects whatsoever. They both seem to be throwing free and easy and voicing no complaints whatsoever. So, it’s very encouraging.”
Perez was around the strike zone and impressed the Mets with the command of his breaking ball. Perez, in his last chance with the Mets, is trying to win a spot in the starting rotation — but also could be considered for a lefty specialist role.
“He looked good — he was throwing strikes,” Beltran said. “He threw me a couple of cutters, something he’s trying to throw this year, and he looked good to me.”
*
Manager
Terry Collins said he will likely keep Beltran removed from spring training games for the first week — Grapefruit League action begins on Saturday for the Mets — to gauge the outfielder’s right knee.
Beltran has started a supervised running program that may not be complete for another week.
Once he is finished he will tell Collins whether he would be more comfortable in center field or right field. Collins noted that Beltran looked comfortable putting weight on his right knee while batting right-handed yesterday.
*
Luis Castillo said he was unsure if he will need to leave the team and return to the Dominican Republic following his brother undergoing surgery. Castillo was awaiting word on his brother’s condition.
*
David Wright bowled a 259 in the team’s bowling night gathering on Sunday. The Mets are planning to make bowling night a spring training staple to get players together away from the ballpark.