Acce s the Mets beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. FORT MYERS, Fla. The Mets primarily because he plays an excellent center field. Hes a player who seems like a different kind of weapon in what projects as a strong lineup. But there Yao Ming Jersey is at least some hope that Siri can develop into a stronger hitter some of the evidence showing up this spring. In his fifth Grapefruit League game, Siri blasted his third home run, which was tied for the most in baseball thus far as a 6-4 lo s to the Red Sox concluded. Jose Siri rounds the bases after homering for the Mets on Feb. 25. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post Jose Siri connects on a home run during the Mets spring training game on Feb. 25. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post Theres potential there, manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday from JetBlue Park, where Siri crushed a three-run homer to left field off Liam Hendriks. There is no doubting Siris power, and he has totaled 43 homers over the past two seasons. Explore More But he strikes out often and is coming off a particularly poor season at the plate, having hit .187 with a .620 OPS with the Rays last year. See Also New York Mets The Mets hope they can help Siris plate discipline, which would help him reach base more often and have a better knowledge of which pitches he can rip. For him, I think understanding the role that he has on this team offensively meaning theres a good chance hes going to have some really good hitters behind him, Mendoza said. Getting on base, controlling the strike zone, swinging at good pitches, and hes doing that right now. The 29-year-old could not take those steps with the Astros or Rays, but he established himself as helpful through incredible plays defensively and his powerful stroke. The Mets sent relief prospect Eric Orze to Tampa Bay to acquire a player who e sentially replaced Harrison Bader. I was surprised, Siri said through interpreter Alan Suriel this weekend. I was home at the time. I wasnt expecting to get traded, but thats the busine s. The good news for Paul Blackburn: His tweaked sinker is moving more than ever. The bad news: Controlling that movement is a work in progre s. The Mets right-hander was charged with four runs on three hits and two walks while recording four outs. He threw 23 pitches in the first inning, was pulled after recording just one out, reentered for the second inning and pitched a 1-2-3 frame. Mets pitcher Paul Blackburn delivers to the plate against the Red Sox on Sunday in Fort Myers, Fla. Imagn Images He got a better hang of his sinker in the second inning. Theres good days and theres bad days with it, Blackburn said of the pitch, which has become a spring project. I was really happy with the movement of it today, but just being able to take that movement and consistently get into the zone. Blackburn, who was done after 32 pitches, is a strong rotation candidate with Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas sidelined. Luisangel Acua, who was drilled by a fastball in the elbow Saturday and forced out of the game, should be fine, Mendoza said. Acua was told not to swing a bat Sunday as a precaution, but he did infield work and has not required testing. Luisangel Acua reacts after being hit by a pitch on Saturday. Imagn Images Not too concerned, Mendoza said. Sean Reid-Foley came through OK after throwing 15 pitches Saturday in his first game since a shoulder impingement cut short his season last year. Delivering insights on all things Amazins Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Reid-Foley recorded two outs while allowing a hit and a walk before being lifted. His fastball sat around 93-94 mph, which is healthy for this time of the season. Thought he was good, Mendoza said of the righty reliever, who last pitched in the majors on June 19. His shoulder then forced him to the injured list and an attempted rehab a signment ended with a shoulder setback. Kenyon Martin Jr. Jersey