Mets’ infield depth takes hit with Nick Madrigal injury

PORT ST. LUCIE — Nick Madrigal became the Mets’ first position player casualty of spring training on Sunday.

Playing in West Palm Beach, Fla., as part of a Mets’ split-squad against the Nationals, the infielder sustained a dislocated left shoulder as he fell on an off-balance fielding play.

Madrigal was scheduled to receive an MRI exam.

“We have to wait and see what we’re dealing with,” manager Carlos Mendoza said when asked about a timetable for Madrigal.

Madrigal has been competing for a backup job, with Brett Baty and Luisangel Acuna, among others. Madrigal, who arrived in the offseason on a one-year split major league contract, has been receiving reps at shortstop.

Acuna can play second base and shortstop and has been working out at third base. Mendoza has said Baty will play third base and second base during exhibition games, but will likely take grounders at shortstop on the side.

“We don’t want to put Brett Baty at a position where he’s not comfortable,” Mendoza said, referring to shortstop. “I think that is what is best not only for the team, but the player as well.”

Madrigal is the second Mets player sidelined this spring. Last week right-hander Frankie Montas was shut down from throwing for 6-8 weeks with high-grade lat strain.

Max Kranick was hardly enthralled about switching from starting to relief last season, but after finding success in the role has accepted the decision.

On Sunday, the right-hander was asked to pitch two innings as a starter in the Grapefruit League and gave the team two scoreless frames against the Marlins. Kranick featured a fastball that averaged 95.9 mph and mixed in a slider, curveball and sweeper. He allowed three hits and struck out one.

Last year Kranick sustained a left hamstring strain in spring training and after six starts following his return was shifted to the bullpen in May. Kranick, who had spent his entire career as a starter, appeared in 37 games as a reliever.

“You have to be ready with Pitch 1,” the 27-year-old Kranick said of the adjustment.

The right-hander pitched to a 3.57 ERA and was rewarded with a selection to the roster for the wild-card round of the playoffs, when team officials decided another reliever was needed.

Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara returned to the mound after missing all of last season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. The former NL Cy Young award winner hit 99 mph with his fastball during his one scoreless inning.

“You want to see the best players in the game competing,” Mendoza said following a 1-1 tie at Clover Park.