Tim Tebow is sent to the Mets’ minor league camp
Port St. Lucie, Fla. — Tim Tebow was reassigned by the New York Mets to their minor league camp on Tuesday after he went 0 for 4 with four strikeouts in an exhibition against the Houston Astros.
The former NFL quarterback and 2007 Heisman Trophy winner hit .056 (1 for 18) with 11 strikeouts in seven big league exhibition games. The 30-year-old, who is not on the Mets' 40-man roster, has been hampered by a left ankle sprain.
"I'll just continue to work in all the areas we've been working and making progress. That's really the focus — to continue the process and the journey and keep working," Tebow said to reporters following the game.
Tebow's only hit was a hard single to center off Washington's Erick Fedde on March 2. He has been used solely as a designated hitter or pinch hitter because of the injury.
"The ankle was kind of disappointing. I got to put in a lot of good work and feel like I'm improving. It's getting there," Tebow said.
• Mets captain David Wright won't participate in baseball activities for two months because of back and shoulder issues, another setback in his attempt to return from injuries that have sidelined him for two years, and New York star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is sidelined after hurting a wrist.
The 35-year-old Wright has been limited to 75 regular-season games during the past three years. He was on the disabled list from April 15 to Aug. 24, 2015, when he strained his right hamstring and then developed spinal stenosis. He returned as the Mets won their first NL pennant since 2000 but has not played for them since May 27, 2016. Watkins operated that June 16 to repair a herniated disk in Wright's neck.
The 32-year-old Cespedes hurt his right wrist while swinging in a game on March 6. He was to play Tuesday but was scratched.
"I felt something in my wrist, but I didn't care much about that," Cespedes said through a translator. "It started bothering me on Tuesday, but with the day off yesterday ... I thought it would be good for today."
New York had X-rays taken and awaiting results. Cespedes is starting the second season of a $110 million, four-year contract.
• Mets starter Noah Syndergaard allowed two runs — one earned — four hits and three walks in 4 2/3 innings with five strikeouts in a 6-1 loss to the Houston Astros. Brandon Nimmo homered.