PORT ST. LUCIE – Joe Smith’s odds of a spot in the Mets’ bullpen – already long to begin with – got a little longer yesterday.
The young right-hander, who showed flashes in 54 big-league appearances last season, was bounced around in one ugly inning of work in the Amazin’s intrasquad scrimmage.
Smith’s day included plunking non-roster catcher Robinson Cancel and giving up two hits, which included a two-run triple to Jose Reyes.
With Duaner Sanchez seemingly back and newcomer Matt Wise guaranteed at least $750,000, Smith looks like the odd man out in the bullpen competition.
“I felt good, but all that could go bad for me went bad,” said Smith, whose next scheduled appearance is Thursday against the Cardinals. “I wasn’t too comfortable with my slider. It was a rough one.”
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The Mets did their best to mimic Citi Field for the six-inning scrimmage, which featured 11 pitchers and ended in a 7-5 victory by the Sandy Alomar-coached team over Jerry Manuel’s squad.
After unveiling a Citi Field logo yesterday morning, the club tried to duplicate the new park – which opens next year – by putting tarps identical to Citi Field’s dimensions on the fences of Tradition Field’s No. 7 diamond.
Manager Willie Randolph appreciated the effort (and the Citi Field logo hat all the players and coaches had to wear) but wasn’t impressed.
“It’s not going to be that way when we get to Citi Field,” Randolph said. “Those tarps were a little bit deceiving. I didn’t feel like I was at the new ballpark or anything.”
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The Mets open their exhibition schedule here at noon today against the University of Michigan, which was invited in part because it’s the alma mater of Amazin’s owner Fred Wilpon.
In keeping with the Michigan theme, ex-Wolverines wide receiver Braylon Edwards – now with the Cleveland Browns – will throw out the first pitch.
Mostly, though, the Mets expect the college kids to be hyped to face big leaguers.
“Hopefully, we can get in their kitchen and break some bats,” Randolph said. “It’s a good way to work on your change-up. They’re going to be so pumped up that you can really pull the string on them.”
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Pedro Martinez, who has yet to throw to hitters this spring while the Mets move at his pace, was excused from camp yesterday to tend to personal business.
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David Wright returned after his grandmother’s funeral and went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in the scrimmage. . . . Randolph praised non-roster right hander Jonathan Niese, who started for Alomar team and threw a perfect inning. Randolph said Niese, who pitched at Class A Port St. Lucie last year, has impressed him all spring.
bhubbach@nypost.com