PORT ST. LUCIE — It was another painful day for the Mets.
Wilmer Flores became the latest member of the walking wounded, after fouling a pitch off his left foot in the third inning of the Mets’ 6-0 exhibition victory over the Yankees on Sunday.
The Mets shortstop left Tradition Field in a walking boot and underwent X-rays, which were negative, according to a team spokesman. Flores, who remained in the game for four innings after the foul ball off his foot, has a bruise and will stay in the boot for at least another day.
“He was limping around pretty good,” manager Terry Collins said. “If you watched him [run] down to first base you could tell it was bothering him, so he is going to be pretty sore [Monday].”
The Mets already are minus Daniel Murphy, who is sidelined with a pulled right hamstring. It’s possible Murphy will begin the season on the disabled list.
Ruben Tejada, Matt Reynolds and Daniel Muno are the other middle infielders in camp. Reynolds started at second base on Sunday and moved to shortstop after Flores left the game.
Lucas Duda can expect to play every day, at least to start the season, according to Collins.
Duda homered against CC Sabathia on Sunday, giving him hits in successive games against a left-handed pitcher. A day earlier, Duda singled against David Price. Last year, Duda hit only .180 against lefties.
“I think it gets a little bit overplayed I guess, and it’s monotonous to hear about it,” Duda said. “But I’m comfortable facing [lefties] on a daily basis. That is all that really matters.”
After missing the first 2 ½ weeks of Grapefruit League action to recover from rib cage soreness, Duda is 4-for-23 (.174) over his first seven games.
“I don’t think you want to be red hot right now in spring training, anyway,” Duda said. “I feel like I’m a little bit behind schedule due to the injury I had, but I feel like I’m slowly getting there, so hopefully it kicks in right at Opening Day.”
In the search for lefty relief help, the Mets borrowed Duane Below from minor-league camp and watched him pitch a scoreless ninth inning. Collins indicated Below will get a further look.