Chris Young will make his first start of the spring against the Braves today. (Anthony J. Causi)
PORT ST. LUCIE — Chris Young is certain he’s rediscovered “normal” as it relates to spring training.
“Last year I thought I was going through a normal spring training,” said Young, who entered Padres camp coming off a shoulder injury. “But I couldn’t have the throwing days between starts the way I’ve been able to do here between bullpen sessions. Here, there have been no issues bouncing back, and I’m pretty excited about the way I feel.”
Young will take another step today when he faces the Braves in a spring training start. It will be the Mets’ first look at Young in a game situation after signing him to a $1.4 million contract over the winter. If healthy, Young figures to claim one of the two available spots in the rotation.
“If I’m healthy, everything else will take care of itself,” Young said. “I can’t win a job if I’m hurt. I feel I’ve got a pretty good track record, and if I go out and I’m healthy, I’m going to be a successful pitcher.”
Young would like to pick up where he left off in 2010. After returning from the disabled list in September, he made three strong starts for the Padres in the heat of a pennant race.
“There was no room for error,” Young said. “I went and performed and we won all three games, and it made me at least feel like a part of a successful season.”
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Carlos Beltran is a week into his supervised running program, but said he’s unsure when he will meet with manager Terry Collins to discuss the outfield situation. The Mets originally said Beltran would need 7-10 days of running to evaluate his right knee in an effort to determine if he should play center field or right field. Beltran has been running the bases, but not at full speed. He could start seeing time at DH later in the week.
“I’m not really that concerned about getting at-bats,” Beltran said. “The No. 1 thing is just making sure I’m healthy.”
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In addition to Young, the Mets are scheduled to pitch Oliver Perez, Boof Bonser, Ryota Igarashi, Mike O’Connor and Pat Misch against the Braves today in Lake Buena Vista.
Much of the squad will remain behind to face principal owner Fred Wilpon‘s alma mater, Michigan, at Digital Domain Park. Chris Capuano, Dillon Gee, Taylor Tankersley, Bobby Parnell, Blaine Boyer and Tim Byrdak are scheduled to face the Wolverines.
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Willie Harris was involved in an automobile accident Friday night, but was unhurt despite having his car totaled.