‘Big-league ready’ Cecchini in tough spot

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Gavin Cecchini bulked up and changed his swing over the winter, but realizes even if he displays vast improvement this spring he is likely destined for Triple-A Las Vegas to begin the season.

On Monday, he smashed a two-run homer in the seventh inning as part of a 2-for-2 performance off the bench in the Mets’ 8-7 exhibition loss to the Astros.

Cecchini, the Mets’ top selection in the 2012 draft, is buried in a crowded infield that has Wilmer Flores and Jose Reyes set to make the team as reserves behind Asdrubal Cabrera, Amed Rosario and Todd Frazier.

“It is tough, because I believe I should and can be a starter in the big leagues and help a team win,” Cecchini said. “It’s just kind of a tough situation with all the infielders and veterans that we have right now and I feel that I am big-league ready at this moment. but that stuff is out of my control.”

Cecchini appeared in 32 games for the Mets last season and batted .208 with one homer and seven RBIs.

Dominic Smith was scheduled to undergo an MRI exam on his right quadriceps, the results of which will be released Tuesday by the team. Smith sustained the injury running the bases in his Grapefruit League debut on Saturday.

Zack Wheeler’s next appearance will come as a piggyback to Matt Harvey’s start on Wednesday against the Braves. The Mets do not have a “B” game scheduled for that day and manager Mickey Callaway said he wants to keep Wheeler on his normal turn. Wheeler is a candidate for bullpen duty in a crowded rotation.

Jay Bruce is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday, as the DH, after resting his sore left foot in recent days. Bruce is battling plantar fasciitis.

Tim Tebow, who last week stumbled on a sprinkler head in the outfield, was expected to receive an X-ray on his sprained left ankle. The Mets indicated they would release the results on Tuesday.