MLB

Mets coach Teufel works on fixing infield

PORT ST. LUCIE — Call it the Great Infield Challenge.

The Mets have made subtle but significant changes to try to improve their infield defense this spring, while breaking in Daniel Murphy at second base. New third base coach and former Mets second baseman Tim Teufel is the secretary of infield defense and has made key changes with David Wright and Murphy.

“Up” is one of the key words in the transformation. While studying film of last year’s infield, Teufel noticed the infielders, except first baseman Ike Davis, were putting themselves in a poor setup position, often being caught hopping in the air at the most critical moment.

“There are some culprits out there, and it’s been addressed,’’ Teufel told the Post. “We’ve had some bad setups, balls have been hit and two and three frames into the hit our feet are still up in the air. We haven’t gained any ground. It’s like being late as a hitter. When the fastball beats you, you go back. As an infielder, if you’re hesitant, you go back.’’

Wright said he realizes that was a major problem and has been working to correct it. He is sidelined with a torn abdominal muscle near his rib cage, but will get back to fixing the fielding issue as soon as he is cleared to return.

“Teuf is really doing his homework,’’ Wright said. “He’s watched a lot of film on me, Ruben [Tejada] and Murph. It’s a good thing. I like what he’s done.’’

Wright has eliminated the hop.

“You almost want to be like a tennis player,’’ Wright said. “You want to be on the balls of your feet when the ball is hit so you can go either way. Teuf wants to eliminate your feet coming off the ground and just be more side to side so when the pitch goes into the zone, you’re ready.

“The more moving around you got going, the harder it is to time, especially me when I’m playing third, I do a lot of walking around,’’ Wright said.

The Mets were ranked 25th defensively, some of that was center field, but a lot of it was poor infield play. Now, shortstop Jose Reyes is in Miami, second baseman Justin Turner is a backup and the middle infield is Tejada and Murphy.

“If our setup is on time and our feet are not in the air, now we can get to the ball a little quicker,’’ Teufel said.

Getting to the ball quicker should enable Wright to have more time to make better throws as well.

The other big problem Teufel is addressing is turning the double play.

“The goal for us is to become better at double-play turns, and that means being more aggressive on ground balls, getting the transfer a little bit quicker,’’ Teufel said. “So I’m moving the guys in a step and one step closer to the bag. We’re going to give up a little bit in the hole, but it’s more important that we are on time and under control, a little less lateral and back movements and a little more angle direct to the ball movements as an infield.’’

Murphy will play closer to the bag in double play situations.

“Right now I’m very comfortable that he can turn a routine double play,’’ Teufel said of Murphy. “It’s the other action ones, when the ball doesn’t get to him as quick, that’s when he has to be secure on which turn he is going to make to get out of the way.’’

Said Murphy of Teufel’s tutoring: “He knows what it takes for me to play that position as big as I am, so it’s been a good working relationship.’’

Teufel has used film of Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley as a role model for Murphy.

“We want to give examples of guys his size, how they turn the double plays, the footwork basis of it,’’ Teufel said.

Place the left foot on the bag and when the ball is in flight to the bag, center the ball, the right foot then comes down and the throw to first is made.

“It’s going to be very quick,’’ Teufel said. “I want him under control, last year it seemed like he was spinning out of control a little bit. We want him in a stable position. He’s catching on.’’

There’s a lot of catching on and catching up for the Mets infield.

kevin.kernan@nypost.com