PORT ST. LUCIE — One more step forward for David Wright.
With the push for Opening Day in full motion, the Mets third baseman yesterday hit in the batting cage, taking his first swings since returning from the World Baseball Classic last week with a left rib-cage strain.
“Each and every step is positive with David,” manager Terry Collins said. “We’re looking at the middle of the week for possible at-bats as we head into next weekend. Once again, I’m going to be very cautious.”
Zach Lutz continues to see the bulk of playing time at third base in Wright’s absence from the lineup, but the Mets consider it a realistic possibility Wright will be the starter on April 1 against the Padres at Citi Field. But Collins said the Mets won’t rush Wright.
“This guy is a huge piece,” Collins said. “And the last thing we need now is to tell him he needs to rush or he needs to hurry. We’ll see where he is in the middle of the week.”
* Daniel Murphy [rib cage] indicated he wants to play in a minor league game today, but Collins wasn’t so sure the second baseman is ready.
“The last time he played in a minor league game he rushed it and took a huge step backwards,” Collins said. “So I will be the first guy in the morning to make sure he does not overdue it [today].”
Murphy has not taken an at-bat this spring. He played defense and ran bases in a minor league game nine days ago and was later sidelined by stiffness in the rib-cage area.
* Kirk Nieuwenhuis made his first Grapefruit League appearance in three weeks, going 0-for-1 with a strikeout as a pinch hitter. Nieuwenhuis had been sidelined with a bone bruise in his left knee. He is 1-for-19 (.053) this spring.
* Frank Francisco threw live batting practice and said he was “just OK.” The right-hander, who has battled elbow soreness all spring, said he still expects to receive game action — likely in a minor league exhibition — this week.
* Jenrry Mejia, who has battled elbow tendinitis for nearly two weeks, said it’s unclear if he will throw again before the end of spring training. The right-hander has made only three Grapefruit League appearances.
He also missed time in camp because of a visa problem in the Dominican Republic and overactive thyroid.
“Too much [stuff] happened,” Mejia said.
mpuma@nypost.com