PORT ST. LUCIE — Andres Torres’ left calf appears just fine, but his swing still could use work.
As the Mets consider whether Torres should be placed on the Opening Day roster for Thursday, the biggest issue is whether the center fielder is comfortable enough at the plate to contribute after an abbreviated spring.
Torres went 0-for-7 in a minor league exhibition game yesterday, giving him 47 at-bats in spring training. Manager Terry Collins later mulled whether Torres should play against the Yankees today, which would essentially put him on the 25-man roster for Thursday.
“I think everybody is optimistic because he’s been so good,” Collins said. “This is three days in a row. There is a reason to be optimistic.”
Torres’ return would give the Mets a full starting lineup for the first time this spring. The timing couldn’t be better for a team that played without David Wright for most of the Grapefruit League season and missed Ruben Tejada for a stretch. Torres hasn’t faced major league competition since straining the calf on March 20.
If Torres is not deemed ready, the Mets would start the season with Scott Hairston and Mike Baxter as center-field options.
“My legs feel good, but I just need more at-bats,” Torres said. “I’m kind of pulling everything, but at least my legs are good. My legs feel great, and that’s something positive.”
Hitting coach Dave Hudgens said Torres’ timing still isn’t right, but other areas need to be addressed. Torres is projected as the Mets’ leadoff hitter, but appears a little too homer-happy for Hudgens’ liking.
“He’s got some power, which can be dangerous sometimes in that you end up hitting too many fly balls,” Hudgens said. “He’s got to hit the ball on the ground.”
Hudgens said the issue is more pronounced when the switch-hitting Torres bats left-handed.
“We’ll just keep talking,” Hudgens said. “I know he wants to do the right thing, but sometimes when you get out there in competition, you kind of fall back to what you normally do, so just keep pounding it. Keep the ball on the ground, keep the ball out of the air.
“He hit 16 homers [in 2010 with the Giants], but to us on-base is more important with him than homers. If I could choose between a .400 on-base percentage and 18 homers out of him, I will take the .400 on-base.”
For Torres, it has been a frustrating spring overall as he has tried to make a quick impression on the Mets. The team acquired him this winter as part of a deal that sent Angel Pagan to the Giants. Pagan is considered a better offensive player, but the Mets are banking Torres will improve the team’s defense in center.
Torres indicated his calf injury might have been caused by exuberance. Last year, he hit only .221 with four homers and 19 RBIs in 112 games for the Giants.
“Sometimes I think I try to do too much, extra work, and I learned you have to take it easy,” Torres said. “I was working out so much and right now it’s sometimes frustrating, but I have to be positive and feel good right now. I’m going to be ready for the season.”