PORT ST. LUCIE — Lucas Duda’s fragile back has motivated the Mets to formulate a contingency plan at first base for this season.
With Duda sidelined after recently receiving a cortisone shot in both hips for what he said are back spasms, the Mets have begun working out Jay Bruce and Neil Walker at first base.
Bruce took grounders at first base Sunday, before the Mets beat the Tigers 5-2 in a Grapefruit League game at First Data Field. And Walker’s education at the position began a day earlier, when he participated in footwork drills with roving infield coach Tim Teufel.