Collins says Conforto can hit way into lineup

PORT ST. LUCIE — Michael Conforto can hit his way onto the Mets’ Opening Day roster.

“There are ways to get him into the lineup, and if he starts swinging the bat [in spring training] it’s going to be hard to keep him off,” manager Terry Collins said Monday. “We are going to take the best 25 guys at the end of spring training.”

The Mets’ inability to find a suitable trade involving Jay Bruce over the winter has left the team with a glut of corner outfielders, Conforto among them.

But Collins doesn’t seem anxious to try Conforto at first base — an idea that had been discussed in the offseason.

“Right now he’s got a lot on his plate to regain the form that we saw two years ago,” Collins said. “I’m just going to leave him in the outfield. I am not going to talk about first base with him right now. I want him to just go play, get in the outfield, and do what you do best.”

Conforto was twice demoted to Triple-A Las Vegas last season because of his inconsistency at the plate.

Collins is encouraged by reports he’s received about Yoenis Cespedes’ offseason conditioning.

“I heard raves from our strength and conditioning people about how hard he was working,” Collins said. “I played golf with him last week, he looks absolutely fabulous. He’s got that aura about him that he’s bound and determined to show that he’s as great a player as people talk about.”

Jeurys Familia is expected in camp Tuesday, after getting delayed in the Dominican Republic because of a visa issue. The Mets closer is facing a likely suspension following his arrest on domestic violence charges in the offseason.

“We’re all pulling for [Familia] to get through this mentally and continue to be the pitcher he has been the last couple of years,” Collins said. “But we’re lucky to have Addison [ Reed] to pick up the slack right now.”