ATLANTA — Andres Torres is still likely 10 days — minimum — away from rejoining the Mets, but that doesn’t mean the team has forgotten about him.
Manager Terry Collins yesterday said Torres will in all likelihood regain the starting center field job once his strained left calf is deemed healthy. Kirk Nieuwenhuis has handled the position in Torres’ absence and provided spark both offensively and defensively.
“I think [Torres] is still an important piece of this puzzle,” Collins said before the Mets’ 9-3 loss to the Braves at Turner Field last night. “[Nieuwenhuis] has played great, but Andres Torres, we got him for a reason. He can get in scoring position for us. We don’t have anybody who can steal bases for us.”
Torres has started participating in outfield drills in Port St. Lucie and could begin light running tomorrow. Collins said Torres will not be activated until he proves he can sprint at top speed.
That test is likely at least a week away, according to Collins, and Torres would then need a minor league rehab assignment to get at-bats. Torres has been on the disabled list since aggravating the calf on Opening Day.
Though there is still time for Nieuwenhuis to change minds, Collins said he would likely return to Triple-A Buffalo once Torres is ready. Nieuwenhuis went 2-for-4 last night, and is batting .321 with one home run and two RBIs.
“I know [Nieuwenhuis] wants to be here,” Collins said. “You talk to any young player, they’ll tell you, ‘I can learn by watching.’ Bull[spit] … you learn by playing. I watch a lot of golf — I stink — so I don’t think that for a second.”
* In their tradition of honoring alumni, the Mets plan to have a short video tribute for Jose Reyes on Tuesday, when the shortstop plays at Citi Field for the first time with the Marlins.
* Jon Rauch has pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings — his longest such streak to begin a season. In six appearances, Rauch has allowed only two base runners. He allowed his first hit in the Mets’ 6-1 victory over the Braves on Monday.