PORT ST. LUCIE — Michael Conforto is using his legs to put a little extra spunk into his spring.
On Sunday, the Mets outfielder slammed his second home run in three games this exhibition season to lead a 5-2 victory over the Tigers.
Conforto is 5-for-7 (.714) this spring in his bid to claim a roster spot. An encouraging sign for the Mets on Sunday was his homer came against a lefty, Daniel Stumpf.
“A lot of the things I was working on this offseason, just [using] my legs has been huge for me,” Conforto said. “And also the work that we’ve been putting in, the extra swings and stuff, it has been paying off.”
Manager Terry Collins sees a determined player.
“He has worked very hard,” Collins said. “His swing is as good as I’ve seen, and I’ve seen a lot of them. He is bound and determined to make this team.
“[His swing] is flatter and he’s not swinging uphill like he did last year. I think he just got caught up in trying to lift the ball and getting it up in the air instead of just driving the ball.”
Catcher Kevin Plawecki expects to resume workouts within the next few days after sustaining a left knee contusion Saturday during a violent collision at the plate with the Nationals’ Rafael Bautista.
“The initial blow scared me pretty good, so I just didn’t really know what it was,” said Plawecki, who underwent precautionary X-rays, which were negative.
Bautista, diving into the plate, struck Plawecki’s knee with his shoulder.
“It’s just one of those ‘bang, bang’ plays and I’m happy with the way the results have come out,” Plawecki said. “It doesn’t look like anything too serious.”
Zack Wheeler had an “outstanding” bullpen session, according to Collins, and will likely begin throwing live batting practice this week. The righty has made gradual progress since incurring elbow soreness two weeks ago.
Top prospect Amed Rosario delivered an RBI single.
Mets reliever Chasen Bradford allowed two runs in the eighth inning. Over two innings, he allowed two hits and walked one.
Matt Reynolds, who finished 2-for-3, shifted from third base to left field later in the game, as the Mets evaluate him for a potential utility role.
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