MILWAUKEE — Wilmer Flores is back with the Mets, but the same old problem persists: How will he get steady at-bats?
Manager Terry Collins had no definitive answer to that question Thursday as he awaited Flores’ arrival from Triple-A to Miller Park, where the Mets opened a four-game series against the Brewers with a 9-1 loss.
A day after Ruben Tejada was drilled in the helmet by Taijuan Walker’s 94 mph fastball, Flores was in the starting lineup at shortstop. Tejada said he’s fine and had no symptoms from the beaning, but the Mets wanted to play it safe.
“I don’t feel anything bad or anything different,” Tejada said.
Tejada was examined following Wednesday night’s flight from Seattle just to ensure the altitude hadn’t caused any problems. Tejada had been cleared by medical personnel to make the flight.
Flores, who went 1-for-3 Thursday, was recalled as insurance, but is also going to receive another extended chance with the Mets, according to Collins. The 22-year-old Flores was crushing the ball at Triple-A Las Vegas, where he was batting .323 with 13 homers and 57 RBIs in 55 games.
But Collins also has been against the idea of keeping Flores on the bench in the major leagues, and now could face a dilemma over playing time.
“We’re going to try to work him in the lineup as best we can and make sure he gets at-bats and maybe split some time with Ruben and maybe give Dan [Murphy] a day off here and there,” Collins said. “Maybe have him play third base once in awhile, so we’ll try to move him around.”
Flores was promoted to the Mets in early May with the idea he would receive an extended look at shortstop and potentially replace Tejada, who was slumping. But Flores got sick shortly after arriving, and Tejada got hot and kept his job.
Tejada has a .399 on-base percentage since May 25 but also has slumped recently, going 4-for-28 (.143) over his previous 11 games.
Collins was asked about the possibility Flores could earn an extended look at shortstop.
“That’s a legitimate question to ask and I don’t know,” Collins said. “We’re playing pretty good and I’m trying to keep things from being disruptive as best as I can.
“I like the way things are going right now and the clubhouse is in pretty good shape as far as their mental approach and I’m going to try not to disrupt that as best as I can, so we’ll see, but I think it’s a legitimate question.”
When Flores was called up earlier this season, Tejada was struggling to reach the Mendoza Line. But Tejada has earned a measure of trust based on his last two months.
“He’s done a nice job handling the bat and I’ll go back to this last homestand,” Collins said. “This guy had as big of hits as anybody for us. He’s also playing very well defensively.
“Had he not gotten hit in the head, I’m not sure we would be talking about this today, so we’ll just see what it’s like in the next couple of days.”