CHICAGO — Kirk Nieuwenhuis is just taking a mental break.
Despite the fact the Cubs sent right-hander Jeff Samardzija to the mound yesterday, Nieuwenhuis was on the bench for the Mets after working with hitting coach Dave Hudgens in an attempt to correct a flaw in his swing.
Nieuwenhuis is batting .115 (3-for-26) since June 16, and manager Terry Collins said he doesn’t want the rookie outfielder losing confidence.
“He is really struggling and I try to make sure that we don’t put some of these young players in a deep pit where they all of a sudden start questioning whether they belong here or not,” Collins said before the Mets’ 17-1 victory at Wrigley Field yesterday.
“I just wanted him to work with Dave a little bit and get this thing fixed, because we need him. When he’s swinging the bat like he can he’s a huge part of our team.”
Collins said Nieuwenhuis is taking his head off the ball.
“When you don’t see it, it’s tough to hit it,” Collins said.
Andres Torres started in center field and likely will get the call again tonight with lefty Chris Capuano scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers.
➤Collins said he had a productive talk with Lucas Duda after the rookie missed a sign from third-base coach Tim Teufel on Tuesday and stopped at third instead of attempting to score from first on Ike Davis’ double.
“I said, ‘What are you going to get out of it?’ ” Collins said. “He said it won’t happen again. I said, ‘That is part of the process. When you make a mistake you learn from the mistake, so you don’t expect it to happen again because I know who you are and I’m sure next time you will score.’ ”
Those words proved prophetic: Davis stroked a double in the fourth inning yesterday, and Duda picked up Teufel’s “go” sign and scored from first on the play.
➤Davis still is waiting to learn if he will be fined after brushing umpire Manny Gonzalez during an argument Tuesday at first base that ended with Davis getting ejected. Davis’ glove touched Gonzalez during the argument. Davis said he spoke with the umpire yesterday and Gonzalez understood the contact was inadvertent.
➤Vinny Rottino, whom the Mets designated for assignment to add reliever Justin Hampson on Monday, was claimed off waivers by the Indians.