Curtis Granderson’s eye is back to normal for Mets
Curtis Granderson rounds first after hitting a single during the first inning of a spring training game against the Yankees Wednesday, March 9, 2016, in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Credit: AP / Jeff Roberson
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Curtis Granderson went 2-for-3 on Wednesday in his spring training debut and reported no lingering effects from his eye infection after the Mets’ finished tied at 4, after 10 innings with the Yankees at Tradition Field.
Granderson said he still isn’t sure what caused the infection. While it cleared, Granderson could not wear his contact lenses. So the Mets held him out.
“The eyes were fine,” Granderson said. “There was really no issue there. It was just one day everything looked really bad and we just had to get it taken care of. But there was no discomfort or soreness or anything like that. My vision’s not too far off without my contacts, so once I throw them on it just sharpens everything up. It’s great to get back to play, so that was good. Three at-bats today, which I didn’t expect to get, which was also very good. So just excited to make it through day one of the spring.”
Yoenis Cespedes went 2-for-3 with an RBI in his first game in centerfield.
Rivera impresses
Terry Collins is taking a good look at Bronx-born infielder T.J. Rivera, who started at third base and went 1-for-5 with a two-run double.
Rivera, 27, hit .325 with seven home runs and 48 RBIs combined in Double-A and Triple-A last season.
“This guy has hit wherever he’s gone,” Collins said. “He’s hit at every level. He’s hit at winter ball. He finds a way to put the barrel of the bat on the ball. I just want to find a way to see [him] against some big-league pitching, how he’s going to handle it. So I’m going to run him out there.”
Christie makes appearance
New Jersey Governor and Mets fan Chris Christie attended the game as a guest of owner Fred Wilpon.
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
