Matthews Jr. ready to prove himself to Mets

Omar Minaya made no promises to Gary Matthews Jr. about playing time when he acquired the outfielder from the Angels last month. But with Carlos Beltran out indefinitely after knee surgery, Matthews is not content to be an insurance policy. He is thinking like a player who intends to win a starting job in spring training.

"Omar was honest," Matthews said Thursday during a phone interview. "He told me, 'We brought you here for a reason, but I'm not making any promises. You go out and play the way I've seen you play, and the way that you're capable of playing, and everything is going to work out fine.'

"My father always said that you have to kick in the front door. Nothing's ever been given to me, so here I am in a position that I've been in numerous times. This is truly nothing new. I just approach this like I've always approached it - by just letting my work ethic and my play speak for itself."

The Angels signed Matthews to a five-year, $50-million contract after he was an All-Star for the Rangers in 2006. But Matthews said he injured his left knee midway through the 2007 season, then continued to play through the pain in 2008 before he ultimately had surgery to repair the patella tendon.

Upon his return, during spring training last year, the Angels told Matthews he would be the club's fifth outfielder. The demotion did not sit well with Matthews, who sounds re-energized by his trade to the Mets and the opportunity to become a full-time player again at age 35.

Matthews can handle all three outfield positions, but the expectation is that he will challenge Angel Pagan for Beltran's vacant spot in center. Although the speedy Pagan may have the edge heading into spring training, Matthews insists that he is in his best shape since knee surgery, thanks to a torturous offseason regimen.

Matthews has been working with a running coach as well as a personal trainer since November, and now that he's resumed baseball activities, his week is full of three-a-day sessions. Matthews is encouraged by the grueling track workouts, which involve a varying series of sprints.

"There's no doubt about it - I'm in phenomenal shape," Matthews said. "I'm looking forward to seeing the fruits of my labor more than anything because it was looking like in L.A. I just wasn't even going to have the opportunity."

What the future holds for Matthews in Flushing is uncertain. The Mets have a minimal investment in Matthews - the Angels agreed to pay $21.5 million of the $23.5 million he is owed through 2011 - and the team still hopes Beltran can return by mid-June. Even so, Minaya anticipates Beltran will need regular rest, and Matthews, a switch hitter who is better from the left side, also could spell Jeff Francoeur or Jason Bay.

"It's so far down the line," Matthews said of Beltran's return. "That's months away, and the only things I can control is the way I work and the way I play. Funky things happen."

Mets invite 11. Top-rated prospects Ike Davis and Jenrry Mejia headline a list of 11 players the Mets have invited to spring training, along with Carlos Muniz, Eric Niesen, Francisco Peña, Ruben Tejada, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Jolbert Cabrera, Luis Hernandez, Bobby Livingston and Travis Blackley.