The backup of the backup of the backup will likely be the Mets’ starting shortstop tonight.
Justin Turner (the backup of the backup) is headed to the disabled list with a sprained right ankle suffered in the Mets’ 8-4 loss to the Phillies yesterday, and Omar Quintanilla will be called up from Triple-A Buffalo for a probable start tonight.
With backup shortstop Ronny Cedeno still bothered by a strained left calf, David Wright was forced to play shortstop for the final six innings yesterday.
Vinny Rottino shifted to third base as Wright played shortstop for the second time in his major league career — the first was Aug. 7, 2011 for two innings against the Braves.
“We’re thin at shortstop, obviously, if I’m playing there,” Wright said.
Starting shortstop Ruben Tejada — remember him? — is still bothered by a strained right quadriceps and has not been running the bases as he takes at-bats in extended spring training games.
Manager Terry Collins indicated the team is hopeful Tejada will begin running within the next two days and in position to rejoin the Mets by the weekend.
Turner had singled to right field in the third inning and was caught in a rundown between first and second when he jammed the foot at first base. Turner hit the ground as if he had been shot — he had to be helped from the field — but the Mets ruled out tendon or ligament damage to Turner’s leg and classified the injury as an ankle sprain and said X-rays were negative.
Collins expects Turner to miss two-to-three weeks. The manager said Cedeno could have been used as a pinch-hitter yesterday, but would have been replaced by a pinch-runner if he reached base.
The Mets chose Quintanilla over Jordany Valdespin because the latter has limited experience playing shortstop.
* Andres Torres arrived to Citi Field about 20 minutes into the game, after his wife, Soannie, gave birth to the couple’s second child, a daughter, Mia.
Torres was awake all night and caught about an hour’s worth of sleep before heading to work. He was summoned in the eighth as a pinch-hitter against Cole Hamels and delivered a leadoff double. Torres said he expects to remain with the team instead of taking paternity leave.
* Josh Thole caught five innings in an extended spring game yesterday and Jason Bay and Tejada saw action at DH in the same game.