Prospect Jett will have soft landing if called up

PORT ST. LUCIE — In his first major league spring training, Jett Williams is fitting right in with the Mets. “When he’s not in the lineup, we’re making fun of him,” manager Carlos Mendoza said after the Mets’ 3-0 victory over the Cardinals on Wednesday in the Grapefruit League. “It’s good that he’s creating those relationships, and he’s having fun.”

Much of the jesting, according to Williams, has originated from bench coach John Gibbons, wondering why the 20-year-old shortstop isn’t starting. Francisco Lindor, the team’s everyday shortstop, is getting most of the reps at the position. Zack Short and Julio Iglesias have also started at shortstop this spring. Williams has appreciated the good-natured ribbing.

“I have been comfortable enough to communicate with Mendoza and all of the coaching staff,” Williams said. “I think that’s good even before I come up [to the Mets], because that means when I do get the opportunity to come up here, I will be comfortable and I can just bring my game.”

Williams followed Lindor at shortstop on this day, and in his only at-bat showed off his speed by beating out a roller to third base for an RBI single.

“I have always gotten taught that if there’s a ground ball or fly ball, you just bust it out of the box,” Williams said. “Say that happens in the season and that can be the difference in a game.”

Williams has not yet played center field this spring, but the Mets plan to evaluate him at the position.

➤ Trayce Thompson hit his second homer of the spring, clearing the center-field fence in the fifth inning for a solo blast. The veteran outfielder hit a grand slam against the Nationals two days earlier.

“He is working real hard with our hitting coaches,” Mendoza said. “This is a guy that is making some adjustments — being real direct to the ball is one of those. He’s … a special defender, the speed and the way he impacts the baseball. Now it’s good to see him get results early in camp.”

➤ Edwin Diaz will likely pitch in a minor league game before he gets into the Grapefruit League, but Mendoza said he was unsure of the timetable for each. Diaz didn’t have any issues, according to Mendoza, following a live batting practice session Tuesday and participating in pitchers’ fielding practice for the first time this spring. Diaz missed all of last season rehabbing from patellar tendon surgery in his right knee.