PORT ST. LUCIE — Frank Catalanotto hopes to be the last man standing — or in this case sitting.
The veteran utilityman, who is battling Mike Jacobs and Chris Carter for the final spot on the Mets’ bench, put his best foot forward yesterday with a pinch-hit home run in the Mets’ 10-5 loss to the Cardinals. Catalanotto hit a two-run blast in the eighth inning against Pete Parise.
Catalanotto is batting .192 with a homer and seven RBIs this spring. Jacobs is hitting .161 with two homers and four RBIs. Carter is hitting .391 with three homers and eight RBIs.
The 35-year-old Catalanotto, a Smithtown native, called it “frustrating” not knowing if he’ll be part of the team.
“Every year I went to camp I knew I was on the team,” he said. “It’s a little bit tough, trying to play it out in your head, what they might do, but the only thing I can do is go out there and show them I can help this team win.”
Catalanotto has become friends with Jacobs and said it is tough knowing one of them likely won’t make the team.
“We play cards with each other and today we said, ‘Maybe there is a way both of us can be on this team,’ ” Catalanotto said. “Who knows? Stranger things have happened.”
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Jose Reyes could take live batting practice as soon as today, as his workouts continue to get in shape for the season. General manager Omar Minaya said Opening Day still has not been ruled out for Reyes, who missed nearly three weeks with an overactive thyroid. But there is no plan in place yet for Reyes to play in a minor-league game or make a Grapefruit League appearance.
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Ryota Igarashi‘s struggles continued with three runs allowed on three hits and a walk in the seventh inning yesterday. Pitching coach Dan Warthen said Igarashi might be going through a dead-arm period. The right-hander’s velocity was off by 3-4 mph, according to Warthen.
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The Mets will split their squad today and send Jon Niese to face the Nationals in Viera, Fla. Oliver Perez will start against the Marlins at Digital Domain Park. Jenrry Mejia is also scheduled to pitch against the Marlins.