Simulated game has Mets’ Max Scherzer excited for fans

PORT ST. LUCIE — Max Scherzer’s simulated-game appearance Wednesday included 59 pitches over four innings and two homers allowed.

Dominic Smith, who blasted both of those homers, wasn’t thumping his chest afterward in the Mets clubhouse.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Smith said. “They don’t count, so they don’t matter.”

For Scherzer, the appearance served as the perfect precursor to his Grapefruit League debut with the Mets. The right-hander, who arrived in November on a three-year contract worth $140 million, is expected to get the ball early next week for the first time this spring in front of fans.

David Peterson, Tylor Megill and Jordan Yamamoto also saw action for the Mets in the simulated game.

“It felt good,” Scherzer said. “I have been throwing sim games and live BPs from behind the [screen], but when you actually get rid of the [screen] and get an umpire back there, it feels a little bit more real. The intensity goes up a little bit. Now I want fans. I want people yelling at me and telling me how much I suck. I can’t wait.”

Kyle Schwarber’s addition to the Phillies lineup — the slugger agreed to a four-year deal worth $79 million, according to reports — left the Mets with another powerful lefty bat they will have to counteract in the NL East.

Manager Buck Showalter was asked if Schwarber’s return to the division — he played most of last season with the Nationals — should underscore the Mets’ need for a proven left-handed reliever.

“That’s a good point, but Billy has been on top of that from the start,” Showalter said, referring to general manager Billy Eppler. “I am going to look from within, what we have here, and try not to overlook an orchid while searching for a rose.”

Chasen Shreve agreed to a minor league deal with the club Wednesday, according to a source. The veteran joins a lefty bullpen crew that includes Alex Claudio and Mike Montgomery.

The Mets’ revised schedule was released. The first series of the season that was postponed by the lockout — against the Nationals — has been rescheduled for Oct. 3-5 at Citi Field. In addition, the Mets will make up two games against the Braves, with doubleheaders on May 3 and Aug. 6 at Citi Field.

One other scheduling note: the Mets will start Sunday afternoon home games at 1:40 p.m. this season to accommodate MLB’s national media rights requirements.

Source: NYPOST