MLB

Wilmer Flores can add another position to his résumé

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Two years ago, Yoenis Cespedes gave Wilmer Flores, career infielder, an outfielder’s glove “just in case.”

Well, “in case” came Saturday. And with the way Flores mashes the ball, it could come again relatively soon.

“I felt weird obviously,” said Flores who started and played left field for the first time as a Met during the 9-7 victory over the Nationals. “I was waiting to get my first fly ball to get the first one out of the way, and I did and I was just waiting for another ball.”

But Flores makes his living primarily with the bat, not the glove. He handled the only chance he had defensively — a pop into shallow left by Wilmer Difo in the fourth inning, a play that sent historians searching for the last time one Wilmer popped out to another Wilmer.
But that was hardly the highlight of Flores’ day.

“You saw why he needs to be playing multiple positions because the kid can hit. He can hit really good,” manager Mickey Callaway said after Flores went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer and a double. “We need to get him as many at bats as we can this season.”

Flores’ versatility is “huge,” Callaway said, because multiple position players impact how managers employ and make up bullpens. Flores has played every infield position in his 455-game career. But never the outfield. It’s a good thing Cespedes had that glove foresight two years ago.

“I was getting a little bit anxious. I wanted to get that first ball. I’m glad I got to play it,” said Flores, who learned of the decision two days earlier and was prepared after taking outfield reps twice a week in spring training. “I’m taking a lot of balls in battling practice. That’s the closest you can get to a game.”

“Obviously, I’m going to need more time, but I played today. I felt good. I saw what it’s like. … Of course I’m willing to do it.”

A large contingent of Mets fans in attendance won’t remember Flores tracking down a shallow pop. They will remember his laser-like fifth inning homer off Edwin Jackson on a 2-1 pitch.

“I got a hanging slider and I was ready for it,” he said of the hit that provided a 5-3 lead.

Or, they will remember his third-inning double. Or the eighth-inning single he hit before he left for a pinch runner to a healthy ovation.

But they may see Flores tracking flies again.

“The way he’s been working with [coach] Ruben [Amaro Jr.] on his outfield stuff, Ruben is totally comfortable with him going out and starting a game in left,” Callaway said, “so it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility.”

Why not? He’s got the glove.