PORT ST. LUCIE — Jason Bay won’t lose his starting job this week or likely even this month, but it doesn’t mean the Mets left fielder is untouchable.
Though the idea has not yet reached the discussion stage among team executives, a club official yesterday floated the possibility that if Bay is struggling six or seven weeks into the season, the Mets could explore other options, including a platoon in left.
Bay is hitting .195 with no RBIs this spring after going 0-for-3 in the Mets’ 9-2 exhibition loss to the Tigers yesterday.
If the Mets were to consider a platoon, it could bode well for lefty-swinging Kirk Nieuwenhuis, who is slated to begin the season at Triple-A Buffalo.
Bay is still owed $32 million over the next two seasons. His contract also carries a vesting option worth $17 million for 2014 based on plate appearances.
Two other Mets officials yesterday said it’s still too early to seriously worry about Bay.
* Frank Francisco limped across the parking lot and told an observer he’s battling a toe problem, but manager Terry Collins said the reliever has dealt with a sore knee all spring.
* R.A. Dickey surrendered a mammoth home run to Prince Fielder, but allowed only one run over four innings in his final spring tuneup. Dickey was spiked by Corey Jones while covering first base in the third inning and had two stitches to close cuts on his right heel.
* Andres Torres could play tomorrow against the Yankees after going 1-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base in a minor league exhibition game. If Torres, who is recovering from a strained left calf, plays against the Yankees, he will almost certainly be on the Opening Day roster.
* Josh Edgin was reassigned to the minor leagues last night despite pitching to a 0.00 ERA in 10 appearances this spring. The lefty reliever was named the winner of the John J. Murphy award as the top rookie in camp.
Tim Byrdak (left knee surgery) could break camp with the Mets as their lefty reliever after pitching for a second straight day in a minor league exhibition game.