PORT ST. LUCIE — Terry Collins gets it now — sort of.
After voicing skepticism last week about MLB’s new rules governing slides and the “neighborhood” play at second base, the Mets manager indicated Sunday he was more on board with the changes, following a meeting with league officials, including Joe Torre and Jim Leyland.
“It was explained a lot better and there was a lot of clarification,” Collins said. “As they told us this morning: There will be a number of challenges on those things.”
The so-called Chase Utley rule — enacted as a response to the slide by the Dodgers second baseman that broke Ruben Tejada’s leg in Game 2 of the NLDS — outlaws slides that do not begin on the ground in front of the base.
“It’s going to protect the infield a lot more,” Collins said. “I am more concerned about second base than I am shortstop.”
The “neighborhood” play, in which the fielder previously only had to be in the vicinity of touching second base when turning a double play, will be eliminated with the new rules. The fielder now has to touch the base, and the play can be reviewed.
“A lot of times infielders for years were taught about dragging their feet across the base,” Collins said. “That is not going to fly anymore.”
The Mets won’t decide on an Opening Day starting pitcher until at least the middle of March, according to Collins — who said all five starters are under consideration. Bartolo Colon was last year’s Opening Day starter.
Eric Campbell realizes there won’t be a 25-man roster spot for him if everybody is healthy. But the utilityman’s goal is to emerge as player No. 26, ready to step in if there is an injury.
“There is still going to be a chance to fit in at any position,” Campbell said. “My goal this camp is to try to win those at-bats and if somebody does go down, I’m the first guy up.”
Campbell’s experience as a pinch hitter could help his cause.
“There is definitely a skill involved in pinch hitting,” Campbell said. “Sometimes it can be tough for everyday players to transition into that. I’m lucky that I’ve had a chance to do that the past couple of years, so if that helps, great.”
Sean Gilmartin, Logan Verrett, Robert Gsellman and Josh Smoker are among the pitchers scheduled to throw in Tuesday’s intrasquad scrimmage at Tradition Field. Rafael Montero will start the Grapefruit League opener Thursday in Viera, Fla., against the Nationals.
Roger Bernadina, the lone Mets player who hasn’t reported to camp, is expected to get his visa issues resolved in the next few days.