Mexican players wary under Trump: MLBPA

PORT ST. LUCIE — While Tony Clark said that he has seen an increased “sensitivity” among major league baseball players from Mexico because of the current political environment, the MLB Player Association’s executive director said Thursday that no player’s travel has been affected by the Trump administration’s foreign policies.

“We’ve seen no more problems than we usually have,” said Clark, who met with the Mets on Thursday morning to discuss issues regarding the new collective bargaining agreement and new pace-of-play rules. “There have always been a few issues, but this year we’ve had no more than usual.”

Fernando Salas confirmed a report on Wednesday that he has yet to play in a spring training game because he was unable to get a work visa in his native Mexico. Salas said that because he signed his contract so late in the offseason he was unable to get the visa in time. He will get it when he returns to Mexico to pitch for his country in the World Baseball Classic next week.

Salas politely declined to discuss any politics involving the United States’ new administration and Mexico. Clark, however, said the union has heard concerns about travel and safety from other Mexican players.

“We certainly have seen a heightened sensitivity, especially with our players from Mexico, to those issues because of the obvious environment,” Clark said.

THUMBNAIL PAIN

Curtis Granderson jammed and tore the nail on his left thumb making a diving catch in Thursday’s 11-6 win over the Marlins at First Data Field. The right fielder was examined by doctors and the team said that “everything is fine.”

Granderson had surgery on that same thumb to repair torn ligaments after the 2015 World Series.

CES goES YARd

Yoenis Cespedes hit his first dinger of spring training Thursday. The slugger launched his shot up and over the 30-foot high batter’s eye in center field.

BRINg oN THE BIg BoYS

With Robert Gsellman’s start on Thursday, the Mets are rolling out their starting pitchers for spring training games. Noah Syndergaard, the Opening Day starter, will make his first Grapefruit League start against the Astros at First Data Field today. The Mets have held back their starters as a way to limit their workload and try to keep them healthy.