Tim Tebow gets first spring hit playing for Mets

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Tim Tebow picked up his first hit of the spring Monday, singling to left field off Miami Marlins left-hander Kyle Lobstein and prompting a positive review from New York Mets manager Terry Collins.

“He understands baseball’s a little different than football. You’ve got to learn by experience instead of having the coach right there next to you all the time at practice. You can’t do that here,” Collins said. “But I think he’s gotten better. That’s just my observation from the side.”

Tebow, who had gone hitless in his first eight at-bats off major league competition this spring, was a late addition to the Mets lineup Monday. Collins said Tebow also will travel with the team to West Palm Beach on Tuesday for a game against the Houston Astros. Collins said Tebow will come off the bench in that game.

The former Heisman Trophy winner also made a headfirst diving catch in left field in the second inning to take a potential hit away from Justin Bour.

Tebow was not available to the media Monday unlike after his first two spring appearances. Collins said that was by design as the…