Carson Benge keeps displaying what Mets like in spring games with ‘tough decisions’ ahead

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — What the Mets like about Carson Benge — his bat-to-ball ability, solid defense in multiple outfield positions, and overall athleticism— was on display again Saturday, as the young prospect got his second start of the spring in center field and added a hard-hit, opposite-field single in an 8-2 loss to the Astros at Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.

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He’s looking to win a spot on the Opening Day roster and prior to the game, manager Carlos Mendoza said he’s hoping to have to make “some tough decisions because we’ve got a lot of guys playing well and healthy.”

Benge is doing what he can to make a case for himself.

“He continues to go out there, give good at-bats, play good defense, run the bases, [hit] left-on-left,’’ Mendoza said. “He’s doing what he’s supposed to be doing on his end.”

And his makeup has also impressed the manager.

“He’s quiet,’’ Mendoza said. “He’s a baseball guy. He doesn’t get too high or too low. I don’t think the moment is going to be too big for him, which is good for [him]. He goes about his business, plays baseball, goes home, comes back the next day [and] does it again. That’s the biggest thing I’ve learned.”

Mets pitching depth took a blow when Justin Hagenman was placed on the 60-day injured list with a fractured rib Saturday.

The right-hander suffered the injury during his most recent Grapefruit League outing on March 5, although Mendoza said the team wasn’t sure how, exactly, it occurred.

“After his last outing, he came in and complained about soreness in that area,’’ Mendoza said. “It continued to get worse, we decided to image it and it’s a fracture, unfortunately.”

Mendoza called it “a pretty significant injury. He’s gonna be down for a while. I don’t know the timetable, but he’ll miss some time.”

Hagenman, 29, appeared in nine games for the Mets a year ago and made one start.

With the six-man rotation healthy, Tobias Myers stretched out, and prospects Jonah Tong and Christian Scott waiting in the minors, Mendoza remains comfortable with the team’s depth, though he noted the Mets will miss Hagenman’s versatility.

“You can never have enough pitching,’’ the manager said. “It hurts, losing a guy like [Hagenman] who not only can start, but pitch multiple innings out of the pen. … We’ll miss him.”

Francisco Lindor took live batting practice for a second straight day Saturday, Mendoza said, as the shortstop works his way back from undergoing left hamate bone surgery last month.

All has gone according to plan for Lindor to be able to make it back by Opening Day, although president of baseball operations David Stearns has said he’ll likely have to play in Grapefruit League games in order to be cleared.

Asked if Lindor could potentially take that step in the coming days, Mendoza said, “We’ll see.”

“He continues to feel good,’’ the manager said.

Richard Lovelady, the lefty who’s spent the offseason bouncing between the Mets and Nationals, is back with the Mets, who claimed him off waivers Saturday.

The 30-year-old made 10 appearances in the majors last season, split with the Mets and Blue Jays.