JUPITER, Fla. —- Justin Turner is the latest contestant gone in the Mets’ second base competition.
The Mets optioned Turner to the minor leagues on Wednesday, leaving Brad Emaus, Luis Hernandez and Daniel Murphy as the remaining candidates for the job, less than a week after the team released Luis Castillo.
As The Post reported last week, manager Terry Collins wants Hernandez, but it has become increasingly clear the manager may get overruled by the front office. Emaus, a Rule 5 selection, has emerged as the front runner for the job, based on his potential upside.
Collins said he plans to give Emaus a string of starts to get a better feel for the former Blue Jays prospect. Emaus has a strong advocate in special adviser J.P. Ricciardi, the former Blue Jays GM who pushed for the Mets to select Emaus last winter.
A source said Collins is suspect about Emaus’ ability to play the position – and that is why he has favored Hernandez – but the manager will take a closer look over the final week of camp. Murphy will likely make the team as a utility player and Hernandez, who doesn’t have minor league options remaining, could be released if Collins loses the fight to make him the starter.
“It’s really important for me to see [Emaus] play more,” Collins said. “I haven’t been around Brad much. I need to see Brad Emaus play a little bit.
“The offensive side is what intrigues us. I just want to see it against major league pitching a little bit on a consistent basis.”
If Emaus isn’t kept on the 25-man roster all season, the Mets must offer him back to the Blue Jays. In 34 at-bats this spring, Emaus is batting .235 with no homers and one RBI.
Turner was batting .231 with no homers and five RBIs this spring, but had minor league options remaining, making him a long shot in the competition.