Mets' Flores ready for spring after fracturing ankle
The New York Mets will have utility man Wilmer Flores at full strength once spring training opens later this month.
Flores suffered a fractured left ankle after he was hit by a pitch during winter ball in Venezuela in December, but told Marc Carig of Newsday on Thursday that he's working out at full strength and will be 100 percent for the start of spring training.
"I was a little worried because I've never had a fracture before," Flores said. "I thought it was going to take longer than that. But it's healed. It healed really fast. I don't know why, but like I said, I'm doing everything."
The 24-year-old made 103 appearances at shortstop last season, while also seeing time in 37 games at second base. The Mets brought in Neil Walker and Asdrubal Cabrera during the offseason to solidify the middle infield, pushing Flores into a utility bench role where he'll also see time at third base.
"I've learned to play all three positions and I think that's the main reason why I'm still here," Flores said.
Flores appeared in a career-high 137 games last season, hitting .263/.295/.408 with 16 home runs, 22 doubles, and 63 strikeouts.