Wilmer prepared to learn outfield to remain in lineup

PORT ST. LUCIE — Wilmer Flores is up for anything that increases his chances of playing.

So as unconventional as outfield might sound for the slow-footed Flores — who has never played an inning outside the infield in his major league career — he is willing to give it a try for the Mets.

Flores, according to manager Mickey Callaway, will begin taking fly balls in the next day or two from outfield coach Ruben Amaro Jr.

“I learned how to play first base to be in the lineup,” Flores said Monday. “If I have to learn how to be in the outfield to get at least one more game, I will do it.”

Callaway also intends to have Jose Reyes take fly balls during camp. Last sea- son Reyes played two games in the outfield.

Flores took grounders at third base during Monday’s drills, but will also figure into the mix at first and second.

And Callaway hopes an outfield glove will allow Flores to be utilized more often.

“This kid can hit,” Callaway said. “Not only can he hit lefties pretty well, he does a pretty good job against righties and we need his bat in the lineup.

“Adding [Todd] Frazier probably took some at-bats away from him at third base that he was going to get otherwise, but we have to get him as many at-bats as possible, because this kid can play the game.”

Flores said friends had previously told him he should learn the outfield to increase his playing opportunities.

“I just laughed at it,” Flores said. “[But] I don’t want to sit on the bench. I want to play.”

Lefty reliever P.J. Conlon is among the non-roster invitees on Callaway’s radar early. Conlon threw live batting practice Monday.

“He was throwing the ball where he wanted to, pitching in off the plate, good changeup down and away,” Callaway said. “It looks like his changeup is going to play against lefties. I asked [ Jay] Bruce about his chan- geup he said ‘pretty good,’ so I think he’s another piece of the puzzle that can help us sometime in the near future.”

The Mets could use a lefty option to complement Jerry Blevins in the bullpen.

Michael Conforto shagged fly balls in center field and has been tracking pitches, but still has not been cleared to swing a bat as he rehabs from left shoulder surgery.