KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Kelvim Escobar is embracing the underdog role this spring. Even as manager Jerry Manuel considers a plan for the Mets’ bullpen that doesn’t immediately include Escobar, the veteran right-hander still has April 5 at Citi Field within his sights.
“Don’t rule me out for opening the season,” Escobar told The Post yesterday. “I know once I get going, I can get ready very quickly, and a lot of people could be surprised.”
Escobar, who is battling shoulder weakness, yesterday resumed playing catch after a four-day rest and seemed amazed afterward with how he felt.
“I feel a lot better — looser, stronger, so that’s a good thing,” Escobar said. “Things are moving forward quickly.”
Nevertheless, Escobar still isn’t sure when he’ll begin a long-tossing program, a prerequisite before he can begin throwing from a bullpen mound.
The Mets signed Escobar in December with the idea he could compete for the eighth-inning set-up role. With Escobar sidelined, Ryota Igarashi and Bobby Parnell are the frontrunners for the job.
Escobar said he is surprised by the setback after having felt strong when he pitched in Venezuela over the winter.
“I didn’t expect to be in this position and they weren’t expecting to have me in this position,” he said. “But it’s two full weeks. It’s 4½ weeks until the season starts and I’m going to continue to do my work and we’ll see where we are in two weeks.”
Pat Misch pitched three shutout innings for the Mets in their 9-5 exhibition loss to the Braves, but remains on the periphery of the competition for the fifth spot in the rotation. Jon Niese and Fernando Nieve are the main candidates.
Manuel sees the lefty Misch as insurance for the rotation and as a possible long reliever who could compete for a job with Hisanori Takahashi.
Angel Pagan, Rod Barajas and Daniel Murphy were the possible Opening Day starters who made the trip to face the Braves. The Mets play a home game today against the Cardinals, with Jason Bay, David Wright and Jose Reyes, among others, scheduled to take their first Grapefruit League at-bats. R.A. Dickey, Sean Green and Jenrry Mejia are among the Mets pitchers scheduled for action.