MIAMI — Curtis Granderson could become something of a fixture in the leadoff spot for the Mets.
The veteran outfielder now has a .453 on-base percentage in June, a statistic manager Terry Collins noted Saturday in his decision to bat pitcher Jacob deGrom eighth, Eric Young Jr. ninth and Granderson leadoff.
“I think we need to get [Granderson] up there, and that’s what it came down to,” Collins said before the Mets beat the Marlins 4-0.
Granderson walked in the sixth inning and has reached base in each of his last 30 starts.
Collins likes a pitcher with some offensive potential, such as deGrom, batting eighth because it allows him to use Young Jr. ninth, essentially giving the Mets two leadoff hitters after the first time through the order while potentially getting Granderson an extra at-bat.
Collins’ goal is to get Young Jr. and Granderson on base for Daniel Murphy and David Wright in particular.
General manager Sandy Alderson said it’s too early to say if he will pursue Cuban defector Yasmani Tomas. But Alderson clearly seems intrigued by the 23-year-old.
“A corner outfielder with power?” Alderson said, smiling.
Tomas must establish legal residency and clear hurdles with the State Department before he can sign with a club, according to Alderson.
Travis d’Arnaud went 3-for-4 on Friday for Triple-A Las Vegas against Nashville and entered Saturday batting .458 with six homers and 15 RBIs with a .500 on-base percentage since his demotion from the Mets two weeks ago. The rookie catcher is expected to return to the major leagues this week.
Juan Lagares played in his second minor-league rehab game, going 0-for-4 for the rookie-level Gulf Coast Mets.
Jeremy Hefner, working out with the team at Marlins Park, said he will begin throwing breaking balls in his bullpen session Sunday. The right-hander, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery he underwent last August, started throwing from a mound two weeks ago.
“I throw as hard as I want and it doesn’t hurt, which hasn’t happened in a long time,” Hefner said.
Hefner said he expects to be in position to rejoin the Mets before the season concludes.
“If there’s a need here and they want me,” said Hefner, who was non-tendered last winter and then returned on a minor league contract.