Andres

Torres

Torres, who was removed from Detroit’s 40-man roster in December, is a longshot candidate to back up Alex Sanchez this season.

Torres rejected a chance to rejoin Triple-A Toledo, opting to become a free agent and try his luck elsewhere. While it’s true the White Sox don’t have an established center fielder, Torres isn’t likely to get a shot to fill the role.

Trammell said both Gene Kingsale and Craig Monroe would join the mix in the corners. Kingsale should not get any playing time anywhere other than center. Monroe will probably be worthless unless the team decides to give up on Dean Palmer.

Torres was batting .293/.356/.448 with 20 steals in 62 games since signing with the White Sox on April 22.

Torres took to the idea so well that he plans to choke up all the time now. ''I’m not going to hit many home runs anyway,’' Torres said. ''So I might as well just try to put the ball in play and see what happens.’' You would hope that speedy leadoff-type hitters would have this figured from the start, but at least it’s progress.

Torres didn’t get into the game.

Torres hasn’t played since March 20 due to a left calf strain, but the Mets are confident he’s making progress. If he begins the season on the disabled list, Scott Hairston will likely start in center field while Vinny Rottino will make the team as a righty bat off the bench.

The Mets originally hoped to have Torres play in a Grapefruit League game on Saturday, but they have now decided to keep him on the minor league side so they still have the ability to backdate a potential DL-stint. If he is unable to start the season on time, Scott Hairston would start in center field while Vinny Rottino would make the team as a right-handed bat off the bench.

He’ll start in center field and bat eighth while Ruben Tejada hits leadoff. The promotion of Nieuwenhuis demonstrates just how bereft of depth the Mets are. He’ll likely serve in a platoon with Scott Hairston while Andres Torres (calf) is sidelined.