Terry Collins said he will attempt to be patient with Ruben Tejada, who is having alarming defensive difficulties this season.
The shortstop committed his fourth error yesterday, firing a relay throw to first base in the dirt on a potential double-play ball in the fifth inning of the Mets’ 7-3 win over the Marlins. An error was charged because the miscue brought home a run.
“I try to talk patience to the players, so I have to have a little myself,” Collins said. “It’s very, very uncharacteristic [of Tejada].”
Collins is convinced Tejada is healthy. He made a fine play to end the game, bare-handing Placido Polanco’s grounder and throwing him out.
“Everybody goes through it,” David Wright said. “It’s tough to go through it the first homestand. I think and I still continue to think he’s a Gold Glove-caliber shortstop.”
The worry may be whether Tejada, who is just 23 years old, will have his confidence shaken.
“He can’t lose that confidence,” Wright said, “and I think it’s something we’ve tried to convey to him.”
* After beginning the season 1-for-16 with seven strikeouts, Ike Davis shaved his beard before the game. He responded with two hits and a walk.
“Obviously the beard wasn’t doing it,” he said. “Had to go.”
* Collins made changes in his outfield again. One day after giving Jordany Valdespin a start in center, the manager used Kirk Nieuwenhuis there instead of Collin Cowgill. Mike Baxter played right as Marlon Byrd sat.
It was the second straight game Cowgill — who homered as a substitute left fielder in the eighth inning — didn’t start.
“It’s not something that Collin hasn’t done,” Collins explained. “I’m just trying to get these other guys in the lineup.
“I wouldn’t say we have a set, set outfield that’s not going to change.”
* Left-hander Aaron Laffey takes the mound for his Mets debut today, replacing the injured Shaun Marcum. Laffey allowed four runs in 12 innings in spring training. He started 16 games for Toronto last season, going 4-6 with a 4.81 ERA.
He faces right-hander Jose Fernandez, who will become the youngest pitcher in Marlins history at 20 years, 250 days. Fernandez never has pitched above A-ball.
To make room for Laffey, the Mets sent reliever Jeurys Familia to Triple-A. To make room on the 40-man roster, they moved Johan Santana to the 60-day DL.
* Catcher John Buck will get his first day off today.