MLB

Mets’ Mejia makes mess of spring debut

OH, JENRRY: Mets pitcher Jenrry Mejia reacts during yesterday’s five-run, one-inning effort against the Marlins that featured a throwing error and a grand slam. (Anthony J. Causi (2))

JUPITER, Fla. — Jenrry Mejia’s reputation as maybe the Mets’ worst fielding pitcher certainly isn’t going to expedite his arrival to the big leagues.

The Mets only needed to watch Juan Pierre’s bunt leading off the game for the Marlins yesterday to be reminded of Mejia’s defensive deficiencies. Mejia promptly grabbed the ball and threw it away, igniting a big inning for the home team.

“That happens sometimes,” Mejia said after allowing five runs on three hits, including a grand slam to Casey Kotchman, over one inning in the Mets’ 7-5 exhibition loss to the Marlins.

PHOTOS: METS SPRING TRAINING

Mejia is a candidate for the rotation if Johan Santana isn’t deemed ready to start the season. But the Mets also need to see much better from the 23-year-old righty, who left a fastball over the plate that Kotchman crushed for a grand slam.

In pitching coach Dan Warthen’s mind, it’s a completely different inning if Mejia doesn’t misfire on Pierre’s bunt in front of the mound. Mejia’s throw sailed over first baseman Zach Lutz’s head and allowed Pierre to reach third.

“We’re all very aware of [Mejia] having some problems with that,” Warthen said. “Today he stood straight up, everything we have advised him not to do. He fielded the ball and stood straight up instead of keeping in good fielding position.”

Warthen said Mejia’s pitches were also an issue.

“I wasn’t too pleased with the action of his fastball, and a couple of other things,” Warthen said. “But we hope to correct them in the near future.”

It was the first spring training action for Mejia, who didn’t arrive to camp until last Friday after a delay in receiving his visa in the Dominican Republic. An age and identity check confirmed Mejia was who he said he was.

But the Mets are still trying to figure out Mejia’s identity as a pitcher. The club has him working as a starter this spring after he shuffled between the rotation and bullpen last year for Triple-A Buffalo. In five September appearances for the Mets last season, Mejia went 1-2 with a 5.63 ERA.

Mejia, who underwent Tommy John surgery that cost him most of the 2011 season, is missing the biting action on his cutter that made him stand out three years ago, according to manager Terry Collins.

“Down the road, Jenrry, maybe his best slot is going to be coming out of that bullpen,” Collins said. “He’s got a great arm. If he can regain the cutter he had three years ago, it’s a dynamic situation.”

For now, Mejia will try to reach the front of the line should the Mets need a replacement for Santana or another member of the rotation. Collin McHugh and Jeremy Hefner are also in that mix, and top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler possibly would be an option if the Mets had a long-term opening.

Mejia said he wants to get his changeup involved — he didn’t throw the pitch yesterday — and show the Mets he can be a trusted starter.

“I want to work on all my pitches, you know, including my slider and changeup because I come in the [start] of the game,” Mejia said.

Any job Mejia wins will be based on performance.

“When you’re trying to make a club you’ve got to get ready to pitch,” Collins said. “It’s a little different when you’re a 10-year veteran and you know how to get ready. It’s another thing when you’re somebody who is trying to impress the manager.”