MLB

Tejada-Flores platoon to stay as Drew signs with Boston

Stephen Drew isn’t coming to Queens to be the everyday shortstop.

At the moment, the Mets don’t even have a clear-cut starter at the position.

Manager Terry Collins and general manager Sandy Alderson danced around the topic before the Mets opened up a three-game series with the Dodgers at Citi Field, talking up both Wilmer Flores and Ruben Tejada, while not committing to either, hours after Drew signed a pro-rated $14 million, one-year deal with the Red Sox.

“I’m sure they made the decision they thought was best for them and we’re sitting here trying to make sure we keep our guys as sharp as they can, trying to get the most out of them,” Collins said before the Mets’ fifth loss in six games and third straight at Citi Field, a 9-4 setback to the Dodgers.

At the moment, the Mets’ unofficial plan is to use the two in tandem at shortstop.

Collins reiterated his faith in Tejada on Tuesday, despite the shortstop’s .183 batting average and current 3-for-22 stretch. When Jose Reyes left via free agency three years ago, Collins said he was told by baseball people he respects Tejada could be an all-star caliber player, a prediction that hasn’t come close to panning out.

Tejada briefly lost the job when the Mets called up Flores May 9 from Triple-A Las Vegas, before Flores got sick and Tejada performed well over the next handful of games, beating the Phillies May 11 with a walk-off single and producing in the field and at the plate in the Subway Series.

Flores, meanwhile, received just his second start in the Mets’ last nine games Tuesday night, despite performing well since being called up. He’s made all the plays at shortstop — the big question mark — but has just four hits in 14 at-bats, his greatest strength. He handled all five of his chances against the Dodgers, and even saved a run, going up the middle with a half-slide on a hard-
hit Matt Kemp bouncer.

“I know I can play it, I just need to show them,” Flores said. “I’ve had good at-bats, I haven’t really shown what I can do. This is the time.”

Flores said it has been difficult spending so much time on the bench, alternating between being a starter and reserve. It’s a continuous process, but he feels it’s in his best interests to remain in Queens, rather than go back to Triple-A and play every day.

“It’s definitely hard,” he said. “I’ve never been through this, playing, then not playing. I just got to get used to it.”

Alderson said “we have to make sure we have the long-term in mind,” referring to his young players. That would seem to indicate a preference to see what Flores can do at shortstop. It certainly won’t be Drew.