The Mets’ first-base derby has been a bigger dud so far than Geraldo Rivera’s search of Al Capone’s vault. But it should pick up this week, provided Lucas Duda and Ike Davis experience no more setbacks, and manager Terry Collins vowed he still had time to gather information and make an informed decision.
Duda (strained left hamstring) could play in a Grapefruit League game by Monday or Tuesday, Collins said, and Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Davis (sore calves) could return to action a day or so after Duda. Duda could run the bases on Sunday, Collins added.
On Saturday, both men played in a minor league game, with Duda going 1-for-6 with a double and Davis 0-for-4 with two walks.
The Mets open their season two weeks from Monday, and Davis and Duda have combined for just 13 official at-bats this spring. Collins indicated the club would use more minor league games in addition to Grapefruit League action to get Davis and Duda ready — or perhaps one of them traded.
“Believe me, we’ve got lots of at-bats coming up, not just in our games,” Collins said. “We’re going to use all sorts of means to get them the proper amount of at-bats they need to get ready for the season. We’ll make the call that’s going to be in the best of interests of our club, for sure.”
Dominic Smith, the Mets’ No. 1 draft pick in 2013, played his first major league exhibition game and delivered a pinch-hit single in the eighth inning against the Twins. The game was called after nine innings with the score 3-3.
“It was just fun getting a little taste of it and seeing the competition out there in the big leagues,” Smith said. “I really did enjoy my day here. I really did have fun.”
Smith was summoned from minor league camp because the Mets needed extra players with the split squad.
Dillon Gee allowed five hits in three shutout innings against the Twins. The right-hander lowered his ERA this spring to 1.69.
“I didn’t feel that great today,” Gee said. “Whatever it was five days ago that made me feel so good wasn’t really there today. I made big pitches when I had to today.”
Bartolo Colon started for the Mets against the Cubs and allowed four runs and seven hits in 4 ²/₃ innings. Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo slammed two homers against Colon, who showed off his surprising athleticism when he snared a hard Matt Szczur comebacker in the fifth inning and got the out at first.
Bobby Parnell, in his third game appearance of the spring, threw a 1-2-3 eighth inning.
Rookie Cory Mazzoni, a candidate for a bullpen spot, picked up the win after striking out the side in the seventh. “That’s the best that we’ve seen him,” Collins said.