Mets' Tim Tebow starting in right field, batting eighth vs. Astros
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- This time, Tim Tebow gets to play the field.
The New York Mets prospect and ex-NFL quarterback is batting eighth and starting in right field in his second Grapefruit League game Friday afternoon against Houston.
Tebow served as the designated hitter Wednesday and went 0-for-3 with a hit by pitch and two strikeouts against Boston.
Tebow's first game was filled with loud ovations from the crowd at First Data Field, but the 29-year-old looked overmatched for the most part. He struck out on four pitches against reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello, hit into a double play with the bases loaded, and ended his day by being called out on strikes.
He also was plunked by a pitch on his right shoulder.
The outfielder said the game was a learning experience for him, and today should be a bigger challenge since he will have to man right field. He'll be playing alongside center fielder Curtis Granderson, and it will be interesting to see how Tebow fares defensively.
Tebow is not the only player to keep an eye on in the game, though, as Matt Harvey is making his second Grapefruit League start this afternoon. Harvey allowed four runs in 1 2/3 innings in his debut against the Cardinals while dealing with a stiff neck, and did not have much life on his fastball.
Harvey expects the velocity to come, and all eyes will be tuned to the scoreboard today to see the velocity readings. The righty did throw some sharp off-speed pitches during the outing, but he's going to have to prove he can dial his fastball up to the upper 90s again.
Zack Wheeler is also making his first Grapefruit League start in two years in the other split-squad game against Atlanta in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Wheeler missed each of the last two seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery two years ago.
Ehalt writes for the The (Bergen County, N.J.) Record, part of the Paste BN Network