Tebow hurts left ankle in freak sprinkler mishap

PORT ST. LUCIE — Tim Tebow is taking it carefully around the turns after a freak mishap last week. The former Heisman Trophy winner is nursing a sprained left ankle he suffered when his foot got caught on a sprinkler head in the outfield at the Mets spring training complex. Tebow said the incident occurred Monday or Tuesday.

“I’m trying to be smart about it and keep [the ankle] taped,” Tebow said after workouts Sunday morning.

Tebow was expected to receive an X-ray on the ankle Sunday afternoon. If no structural damage was detected, it’s possible he will be used as the designated hitter Monday against the Astros for his Grapefruit League debut this spring.

Tebow has been hitting in the batting cage and shagging flies, but is avoiding cuts on the bases. The ankle hasn’t affected his power, as he has launched several long home runs during batting practice in recent days.

Tebow, in his first major league camp, is hardly the only Mets player hurting: Dominic Smith has strained right quadriceps from running the bases, and will receive an MRI exam Monday. In addition, Juan Lagares has a strained left hamstring and Jay Bruce is bothered by plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Bruce has been working out and plans to DH for the Mets on Tuesday. There has been no indication when Lagares might play in his first exhibition game.