PORT ST. LUCIE — Sometimes Josh Edgin needs to win on points instead of always going for the pin.
That is the assessment of Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen, who would like to see the former Pennsylvania state wrestling champ take a more cerebral approach to his bullpen work this spring. The lefty made a strong impression on the Mets last season and is expected to begin 2013 on the major league roster.
“I would like to get a little bit of the wrestler mentality out of him,” Warthen said yesterday. “There is a great deal of it you like, but there is also a part where he just over-competes and he gets so intense and so wound up and over-grips, the baseball jumps a little bit.
“You don’t want to take the drive and aggressiveness away, but you have to make him slow down and think a little bit more than just trying to be the bull in the china shop.”
The 26-year-old Edgin posted a 4.73 ERA in 17 appearances for the Mets after the All-Star break last season. He was shut down in September after reaching an innings limit, but looks forward to what he hopes will be his first complete year in the majors.
“I had a couple of rough outings toward the end last year,” Edgin said. “I want them to know I learned from that and strive to make better decisions and pitches.”
Manager Terry Collins said he doesn’t view Edgin as just a lefty specialist.
“He’s a guy that because of the angle at which he throws, can get right-handed hitters out,” Collins said. “He spent all winter trying to work on a sinker that some guys were trying to help him with last year and it works pretty good so far.”
* Jenrry Mejia will report to camp today, according to Collins. The right-hander had been the subject of an age and identity check — both were verified as accurate, according to the Mets — in the Dominican Republic.
* The Mets will play an intrasquad scrimmage today and face the Nationals tomorrow at Tradition Field in the Grapefruit League opener.
mpuma@nypost.com