Andres Torres will bat leadoff and play center field Tuesday against the Yankees. As expected. The Mets are giving up the opportunity to backdate a potential disabled list stint by playing Torres in a Grapefruit League game, so they are taking the chance that he is fully recovered from his calf strain. Assuming he's 100 percent, Vinny Rottino will head down to the minors while Scott Hairston moves into a backup role.

Andres Torres (calf) will be ready for Opening Day. Torres is scheduled to play in a Grapefruit League game Tuesday, meaning New York is forfeiting its option of placing him on the disabled list with a March retroactive date. The 34-year-old who batted just .221/.312/.330 with the Giants last season will start in center for the Mets, pushing Scott Hairston back to the bench.

Mets manager Terry Collins said Andres Torres (calf) ran "well" in a minor league game and the team hopes he'll be ready for Opening Day. It's not a given, though, as the Mets are having Torres play in minor league games just in case they need to backdate a DL move. Scott Hairston would handle center field if Torres isn't ready.

Mets' manager Terry Collins said that Andres Torres (calf) felt "awkward" while taking four at-bats during a minor league game Friday. The Mets originally hoped to have Torres play in a Grapefruit League game on Saturday, but they have now decided to keep him on the minor league side so they still have the ability to backdate a potential DL-stint. If he is unable to start the season on time, Scott Hairston would start in center field while Vinny Rottino would make the team as a right-handed bat off the bench.

Andres Torres (calf) is expected to be ready for Opening Day. Torres hasn't played since March 20 due to a left calf strain, but the Mets are confident he's making progress. If he begins the season on the disabled list, Scott Hairston will likely start in center field while Vinny Rottino will make the team as a righty bat off the bench.

Andres Torres (calf) took batting practice Monday, but mainly tracked pitches. Mets GM Sandy Alderson said over the weekend that it's "touch and go" whether Torres will avoid the disabled list to begin the season. Torres, for his part, said he felt good Monday. "There wasn't any tightness," he said.

Mets GM Sandy Alderson said that it's "touch and go" whether Andres Torres (calf) will avoid the disabled list. Scott Hairston is scheduled to take batting practice Sunday for the first time since getting shut down with a strained left oblique. If both Torres and Hairston are not ready for Opening Day, Kirk Nieuwenhuis could be promoted from the 40-man roster. The Mets will carry a backup centerfielder and not rely on the likes of Adam Loewen and Mike Baxter.

Andres Torres (calf) estimates that he'll only need to miss a few days. Torres suffered the injury jogging off the field during Tuesday's game. While he's optimistic he won't be sidelined for long, he admitted that he has never dealt with an injury like this before. Adam Loewen would likely play center field if he requires an extended absence.

Andres Torres was diagnosed with a left calf strain. It's not known how long he'll be sidelined, but calf strains tend to linger. Center field depth is a real issue for the Mets right now, as Scott Hairston is currently working his way back from oblique strain. Adam Loewen figures to get plenty of looks for now.

Andres Torres left Tuesday's game against the Nationals with an apparent leg injury. Torres appeared to suffer the injury jogging off the field after making an easy inning-ending catch in center field. Stay tuned for an update on his status.