l New middle infield duo debuts

PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets’ new doubleplay combination was unveiled Friday, and appeared in sync.

Neil Walker fielded Christian Yelich’s grounder in the first inning and fed Asdrubal Cabrera to start the 463 double play — the first of many the Mets expect the duo to turn this season.

“Game situations are more important than anything for middle infielders,” Walker said after the Mets and Marlins played to a 44 tie over nine innings. “Simple things like peeking over to see where [Cabrera] may be and the hitters’ counts and the twostrike counts, those are things you can’t learn over in the back fields.”

Cabrera said a comfort level is developing between him and Walker, who have discussed where they like to receive their throws.

“We have already talked about it and he’s a great second baseman,” Cabrera said. “He knows what he has to do, so I’m excited.”

Walker said the new rules eliminating the “neighborhood” play at second base will take some adjustments for both him and Cabrera.

“We can’t be moving too much across the bag with our throws or with our un derhand feeds,” Walker said. “But for the most part it’s the work on the back fields with the throws and the communication.”

Bartolo Colon and Steven Matz are both scheduled to pitch Monday in splitsquad games as the Mets begin using their starting pitchers. Colon is scheduled to face the Tigers at Tradition Field, with Matz pitching against the Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla.

Jim Henderson fired a scoreless inning in relief with two strikeouts. The former Brewers closer is attempting to make the team in his comeback from shoulder problems.