KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Fernando Martinez isn’t taking it personally.
The former Mets top prospect yesterday admitted he was caught off guard last winter when he learned the team had placed him on waivers, but also understands there were concerns about his chronically sore knees.
“It’s a new start for me,” Martinez said before his Astros beat the Mets 9-5 in a spring training game. “I spent a lot of time with the Mets. Now it’s time to change the page.”
Martinez, who went 0-for-3 as the starting left fielder, said his knees have felt better this spring and he’s hoping to prove he can be an everyday major league player. For the spring he’s batting .190 with a homer and three RBIs.
“I appreciate the Mets giving me an opportunity to play in the majors, to work with me because I had a lot of injuries in the past,” Martinez said. “But I’m very happy, because I feel good — a new start with a new team.”
Mets manager Terry Collins said he doesn’t doubt Martinez can be a productive player, but indicated the organization became frustrated with his struggles to remain on the field.
“I know his talent, I know he’s got great talent,” Collins said. “In the right spot if he can stay healthy and get playing time, he can put numbers up. He’s got some kind of power.”
* David Wright hit from a tee and swung at soft tosses in the cage at the Mets’ spring training complex. Wright [ribcage] has also been taking grounders as he awaits clearance to begin taking batting practice and play his first exhibition game.
* Left-hander Tim Byrdak expects to begin throwing on Friday, but said it’s unlikely he will be ready for Opening Day after undergoing arthroscopic surgery last week to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.
Garrett Olson, who has emerged as the front runner to fill Byrdak’s bullpen spot as the lefty specialist, pitched a scoreless seventh inning yesterday and has not allowed an earned run in five appearances this spring.
* The Mets have their lone scheduled off day of the Grapefruit League season today. Players will have a complete day off, as the Mets will close their complex.
The Mets will resume action tomorrow night against the Nationals in Port St. Lucie, with Dillon Gee
to face Stephen Strasburg.