Amed Rosario hasn’t been in the majors long, but he’s already impressed Terry Collins.
“In five games, you can see this kid is going to be a very good player,’’ the manager said before Sunday’s 8-0 loss to the Dodgers. “Obviously, there are a lot of things he’s going to learn how to do and do it on his own because he’s a sharp kid, but he’s got great athleticism and plays with great energy. He’s handled playing shortstop brilliantly.”
He did again on Sunday — for the most part.
After missing the tag on Justin Turner’s stolen base that helped lead to three runs, Rosario made terrific plays to his right on grounders to end the top of the fifth and then another to open the sixth.
It’s a different story at the plate, though.
He’s now hitless in his last eight at-bats following Sunday’s 0-for-3. Through six games, Rosario is 4-for-22 with two triples and 10 strikeouts — and no walks.
With the Mets’ focus now clearly on 2018 and the arrival of first baseman Dominic Smith expected sometime this month, Rosario’s development has become especially vital.
Collins believes Rosario, 21, will gain more by playing in August, facing teams like Los Angeles.
“I think it’s so important to have him here in August and not just September because [in] August, we’re playing teams that are really grinding it out and are in the hunt,” Collins said. “He’s going to get a taste of what it’s like.”
Jay Bruce missed a second straight game Sunday with a stiff neck.
Bruce said he initially felt the injury on the team’s flight back from Colorado, where they finished a 10-game, three-city road trip. He played the next day in the team’s first game of the homestand but wasn’t available Saturday. Bruce and Collins hope he’s ready Tuesday.
“I felt it on the plane back from Denver,’’ Bruce said. “I didn’t really think much of it because I tend to try and not think much of anything, as far as how things physically feel if I can go out there.”
But the condition worsened Saturday when he woke up.“It’s a little better,” Bruce said Sunday. “I want to be careful with it. Terry and I talked and he’s gonna give me the day and couple that with the day off [Monday] for the team and hopefully I’ll be ready to go Tuesday [against the Rangers].”
Bruce said he was “very confident” he’d be OK by Tuesday.
“I don’t think it’s anything serious, but I want to be careful with it because I don’t want it to turn into a long-term situation for me,’’ Bruce said.
Matt Harvey threw a bullpen session Sunday and said it went “very well.” Collins said the right-hander is due to throw batting practice Tuesday. Robert Gsellman (hamstring) gave up six runs (three earned) in 2 ²/₃ innings in his third rehab start with Double-A Binghamton. Juan Lagares (thumb) went 2-for-4 in five innings with Binghamton.
Third base coach Glenn Sherlock was set to miss Sunday’s game after the death of his mother. First base coach Tom Goodwin moved from first base to third and bench coach Dick Scott coached first.
Curtis Granderson will celebrate the 10th year of his Grand Kids Foundation Monday night at the New York Public Library in Midtown. Granderson’s foundation has provided meals and education to children in need in his time with the Mets and Yankees.