Mets Insider: Bartolo Colon struggles in loss to Nationals

PORT ST. LUCIE — Bartolo Colon has nothing to worry about. The 42-year old Mets right-hander was lit up by the Nationals Friday night, allowing eight runs on nine hits over five innings, including three home runs in the Mets 12-7 loss to the Nationals at Tradition Field.

“I actually felt very good,” Colon said through an interpreter. “They may have given me a lot of bat, but I felt good.

“They just felt better.”

The Mets will use Colon to hold a spot in the rotation for Zack Wheeler, who threw off a mound for the first time last week and is scheduled back from Tommy John rehab in July.

Colon was 14-13 with a 4.16 ERA in 33 games last season. He will enter the season the active leader in wins (218) and shutouts (13).

So the veteran was not sweating Friday night’s start.

“These training games don’t worry me,” Colon said. “This is what they are for, so I can find those things I need to work on and work on them.”

Terry Collins was not going to get worked up about it either.

“It’s a spring training game. He’s pitched for 17 years, he’s out there getting his work done,” the Mets manager said. “I don’t think he gets too caught up in anything than trying to make sure the ball is sinking. Early in the game it wasn’t, later in the game it was.

“He’s one of those guys who is tough to get a read on where he is at and what he is trying to accomplish, but I think it’s nothing more than trying to build up the endurance in his shoulder.”

CABRERA SPEEDING UP

Asdrubal Cabrera, who was initially shut down for two weeks after being diagnosed with a strained left patella tendon a week ago, is progressing quickly. He played catch with a trainer and traced pitches in the cage Friday. The shortstop said he is hopeful he will be able to hit in the cages soon.

“I feel good,” Cabrera said. “We’ll see how I feel tomorrow and go from there.”

Cabrera received a platelet-rich plasma injection last week and after some initial discomfort said he was hopeful he would be ready for Opening Day.

CENTERING IN

Collins indicated that he might be more inclined to leave Yoenis Cespedes in center field this season, rather than switching him to left and playing Juan Lagares in left like they did every time the Mets faced a left-handed pitcher late last season.

Collins had Lagares playing left field Friday night and said he is looking to get the 2014 Gold Glove centerfielder experience in the corners.

“I just want to get him out there, get him comfortable in some place besides center field,” Collins said of Lagares.

Collins also indicated it would be better to keep Cespedes in one spot.

It is going to be hard to find Lagares, who homered in the first inning, at-bats this season with Cespedes in center and Michael Conforto, who hit a ninth-inning grand slam Friday, playing left.

Baseball – NY Daily News

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