MLB

Collins could try to juggle four-man outfield

PORT ST. LUCIE — In case there was any doubt there is enough room for Eric Young Jr. and Juan Lagares on the Mets roster, manager Terry Collins ended it Thursday.

“Certainly we have to figure out how to get those two guys in the lineup on a somewhat regular basis,” Collins said after watching both excel in the Mets’ 4-0 exhibition loss to the Nationals.

Young started in left field, batting leadoff, and finished 3-for-4. Lagares replaced Chris Young in center field in the eighth inning and made a highlight-reel catch, racing about 40 yards, to rob Jose Lobaton of a double.

Lagares last season established himself among the premier defensive center fielders in baseball, but Young Jr. represents perhaps the team’s best leadoff option.

In Young Jr., Young, Lagares and Curtis Granderson the Mets have four outfielders for three spots. The Mets promised Young regular playing time before he signed a one-year deal with the club for $7.25 million last offseason, only complicating the equation.

“We’ve made some commitments that we’re going to stick by them and we’ll see how they play out,” Collins said. “One-hundred-and-sixty-two [games] is a long year. What starts in April doesn’t always finish that way.”


John Lannan was placed on the 40-man roster, signaling he has made the team. The Mets plan to use the left-hander from the bullpen to begin the season. Lannan pitched 1¹/₃ scoreless innings on Thursday.


Cory Mazzoni left the game in the second inning with soreness in his right triceps. The right-hander had been recalled from minor league camp to face the Nationals, so Bartolo Colon wouldn’t have to face a team he is scheduled to pitch against next week. Colon pitched in a minor-league exhibition.


David Wright has fond memories of Olympic Stadium in Montreal, where the Mets will play their next two exhibition games. Wright’s first major league homer came against the Expos’ John Patterson on July 26, 2004 at Olympic Stadium.