Jay Bruce finally broke out the big glove.
The Mets’ right fielder made his first start of the season at first base Friday night — allowing outfielder Brandon Nimmo to get in the lineup and make his first start since April 29 — and performed admirably, with no errors and a diving stab on a hard grounder.
Bruce, 31, had only made 15 career starts at first coming into the game against the Rockies, but when he returned to the Mets as a free agent in January, the team told him the position shift was possible.
Nimmo made the move necessary, excelling in a limited role. He entered Friday with the highest on-base percentage in the majors (.478), then went 1-for-4 with a walk.
“I don’t have any say in any of the decisions that they make,” Bruce said before the 8-7 loss. “It’s what they feel is best for the team. The biggest thing is they want to get Nimmo some at-bats and keep me in the lineup and give Adrian [Gonzalez] adequate days to make sure he’s healthy, and we’ll see how it goes.
“I’m gonna do what I can over there.”
Bruce primarily played first base until he was 16, but has spent his professional career almost exclusively in the outfield, leaving him uncomfortable with the speed of play in the infield and playing pickoff attempts.
Bruce said the team hasn’t told him how often he may be used at first in the future.
“I’m just out there trying to do what I can,” Bruce said. “I think there’s things I can go out and improve on. If they need be, I’ll be there for it, and I’ll continue to practice and work and try not to be any type of liability over there.“The more you play over there, the more the game slows down for you. … In a perfect world, yeah, I feel like I’m a right fielder, but being able to play multiple positions helps. … You don’t really have a choice. It is about the team. I feel like if you can add value by helping out in different areas then it’s something that I’m all for.”
Amed Rosario went 2-for-4, and recorded his first multi-hit game since April 20.
Asdrubal Cabrera hit his sixth home run of the season, and is one short of Yoenis Cespedes’ team lead. Cabrera, who is hitting .344 over his past 15 games, didn’t hit his sixth home run last year until June 12.
Todd Frazier hit his fifth home run.
Seth Lugo allowed one hit in three scoreless innings of relief.
Jacob deGrom is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday after being forced from Wednesday’s start with a hyperextended elbow.
The right-hander said Thursday he plans to attempt to start Monday’s game against the Reds despite the initial scare that raised concerns of a serious injury elbow that would require a lengthy absence.
