PORT ST. LUCIE — Luis Castillo already might have one foot in manager Terry Collins’ doghouse.
Though position players are not required in Mets camp until tomorrow, Collins yesterday admitted he is disappointed Castillo had not arrived already as a sign he’s committed to fighting for the starting second-base job.
“I look out there today and see [Scott] Hairston and [Willie] Harris and [Jose] Reyes and [David] Wright, and those guys are all here,” Collins said. “In a position of Luis, where he’s competing for a job. . . . I know he’s working out, I am aware of that, but I wish he would have been here. This way I could have gotten the conversation over.”
Castillo, who is owed $6 million in this final year of his contract, needs a strong camp to avoid getting released. Castillo’s competition at second base includes Daniel Murphy, Justin Turner and Brad Emaus.
Collins indicated Castillo can learn from Johan Santana’s example. Santana, who is sidelined as he recovers from shoulder surgery, was on the field with pitchers and catchers Thursday.
“I’m a real believer in sending a message to the organization,” Collins said. “I thought Johan Santana did that. I thought he sent a message to everyone on that team that ‘I’m behind you.’ I kind of thought that same thing [about Castillo].”
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Collins, who is listed generously at 5-foot-9, conducted his press conference standing up after he was told the microphone stand was blocking his face for the TV camera. Collins joked that pitchers Chris Young
, who is 6-foot-10, and 6-foot-7 Mike Pelfrey
better not hold the ball above their heads and make the manager jump for it when he goes out to make pitching changes.
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Rookies outfielders Lucas Duda
and Kirk Nieuwenhuis
already are on Collins’ radar.
“I watch Duda take [batting practice] and I watch Nieuwenhuis take BP, and I think, ‘If we need somebody [from the minors], it would be nice for them to be ready and not skip a beat,’ ” Collins said.
Collins also liked what he saw from Young during yesterday’s bullpen session.
“I’m pretty excited from what I saw today,” Collins said. “I saw a nice, loose arm. I saw great extension. I’m pretty happy, because if this guy is healthy, he’s done it. He’s had success.”
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The Mets haven’t heard when catcher Ronny Paulino
will arrive in camp. Paulino was having visa issues in the Dominican Republic.