Bruce not quite hip to 1st just yet

PORT ST. LUCIE — Jay Bruce’s first baseman’s mitt should have come with conditioning instructions.

The Mets outfielder has a sore right hip and was removed from Sunday’s starting lineup after taking grounders at first base in pregame drills, following his debut for the club at the position last week.

The hip had not bothered Bruce previously.

“Honestly, I think it has to do with taking ground balls at first,” Bruce said before the Mets lost 7-5 to the Marlins. “Just being in a different position, you are so engaged, and my hip flexor just flared up a little bit. It’s not anything alarming.”

Bruce was not scheduled to make Monday’s trip to Lakeland, and the Mets are off Tuesday, allowing him a three-day break.

“It is just one of those deals I am going to be cautious about,” Bruce said.

The Mets see Bruce as a potential backup option at first base if Lucas Duda, who missed most of last season with a stress fracture in his back, incurs an injury. Bruce’s only experience at the position in the regular season consists of three games with the Reds in 2014.

Catcher Travis d’Arnaud was unsuccessful in two attempts throwing out base stealers — including a ball he fired over third baseman Ty Kelly’s head — and is only 1-for-8 this spring in that category.

“The throwing action is OK, but we’ve just got to get him to speed up a little bit,” manager

Terry Collins said.

Fernando Salas returned to spring training having resolved a work visa issue in his native Mexico. The righty reliever, who has not appeared in the Grapefruit League this spring, said he usually needs 8-10 appearances to prepare for the season. Salas pitched twice for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic and will have two weeks to get in his needed work.