MLB

Mets’ Duda begins to stir

PORT ST. LUCIE — Lucas Duda finally is getting his swing together for the Mets.

In the Mets’ 9-6 exhibition victory over the Astros yesterday at Tradition Field, that meant a 3-for-3 performance from Duda with two RBIs, raising his spring batting average to .273.

Duda had a rough start to the Grapefruit League season, going hitless in his first eight at-bats, with six strikeouts. That prompted manager Terry Collins to remove Duda from the lineup for three days to get more swings in the batting cage. Duda’s workouts were restricted this winter after he broke his right wrist moving furniture, and thus needed surgery.

PHOTOS: METS SPRING TRAINING

“I told Lucas 10 days ago, we’re not even to March yet,” Collins said. “You had a couple of bad games, you haven’t had enough reps. I’m very well aware of that. Don’t think that what happens on Feb. 27 is going to dictate what’s going to go on March 29, it’s not. This is a lengthy process.”

Duda delivered an RBI single in the first yesterday and then smashed a two-run double to left field in the third. He also singled in the fourth.

* Kirk Nieuwenhuis, recovering from a bone bruise in his left knee, could return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Nationals, according to Collins.

Matt Den Dekker continues to receive playing time in center field in Nieuwenhuis’ absence and made a sliding catch in front of the fence in the third inning to rob Houston’ s Trevor Crowe of at least a double. But Den Dekker has struggled at the plate, going 0-for-3 yesterday to drop his spring batting average to .217.

* Daniel Murphy [strained rib muscle] is expected to rejoin the Mets lineup by next weekend. … Zack Wheeler [oblique] will throw a simulated game today at the Mets’ complex.