Just Mets

As recently as five days ago, Daniel Muno probably figured it was a matter of time before the Mets sent him on the long walk from Tradition Field to minor league camp on the other side of the team’s complex in Port St. Lucie.

But with a sudden hamstring injury befalling Daniel Murphy, and now some uncertainty surrounding Wilmer Flores and his bruised foot, Muno has renewed hopes of making the big league roster out of camp.

Over the weekend, Terry Collins said with Murphy’s immediate future in question, the club intends to evaluate Muno in a utility infielder role through the end of camp.

“I want to see if he has the potential to maybe be a bench player for us,” Collins said over the weekend, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York.

Muno is mostly a middle infielder but he has played some third base in his professional career. He’s got some pop but profiles more as a top-of-the-order bat thanks to his speed and propensity to get on-base. He’s not young, so if there’s a time to see if he can cut it as a utility player at this level, this would be it.

Muno has done very little to disappoint so far in camp, He’s hitting an even .400 after going 2-for-4 with a triple, home run and three RBI against the Marlins in Jupiter on Monday.

“He’s been made aware there’s some bench jobs out there,” Terry Collins said after the game on Monday. “He’s looked very, very sharp so far.”

That comment alone begs this question: Could Muno make the club whether Murphy is ready for Opening Day or not?

If Murphy and Flores are healthy, it would seem unlikely to happen out of camp.

Then again, the Mets are not financially committed to Ruben Tejada. But his $1.9 million salary was earned through the arbitration process, meaning the salary is not guaranteed. He’s had a strong camp – Tejada’s six doubles lead the club this spring. And, in a utility role, Tejada is probably an adequate solution provided he doesn’t start too many games.

However, while he’s older than Tejada, Muno is faster, has more pop, he’s more versatile, is also a switch hitter, and would come at the league minimum.

In other words, can Muno be a better value than Tejada?

That’s not entirely clear, since Muno has no track record in the big leagues. And, Tejada is out of options and can refuse a minor league assignment, which could cost the Mets flexibility and depth should Muno not be effective.

But, I’m getting the impression Muno has the Mets thinking. After all, he’s still in big league camp and still producing.

“I’ve dreamed ever since I was a little kid of being in the big leagues,” Muno told Anthony Rieber of Newsday on Monday. “It would be a dream come true.”

That dream could become a reality for the 26-year-old infielder sooner rather than later.