MLB

Tim Tebow not invited to Mets’ major league camp

USA TODAY Sports

Tim Tebow did not get an invitation to the New York Mets' major league spring training camp, despite his manager's wishes. 

Tim Tebow batted .194 with 20 strikeouts in 62 at-bats in the Arizona Fall League.

Instead, he will report to the Mets' minor-league camp in Port St. Lucie, Fla. to continue his pursuit of a major league career. Tebow was omitted from the list of major league camp invitees announced by the Mets on Wednesday.  

At last month's winter meetings, manager Terry Collins expressed his desire about having Tebow at spring training. 

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“I will tell you if he’s not in our camp, I’ll get him over," Collins said. "I think he’s a name in Florida. He’s a star in Florida. He should be. I think it would be fun to have Tim come over. And certainly one thing about our players, they’re athletes, too. They’re fans, too. They would probably like to know how to run a quarterback sneak one day.”

It remains possible that Tebow play in Grapefruit League games, as teams commonly utilize players from minor league camp, particularly early in the spring season. The Mets' Grapefruit opener is Feb. 24 against the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers.

Collins visited Arizona and watched Tebow play in the Fall League, but admitted he did not meet with Tebow.

Tebow, the former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, had his moments in the Fall League, but struggled against some of baseball's best young pitchers. In his 19-game stint, he batted .194 with 20 strikeouts in 62 at-bats.

Pitchers and catchers are expected to report on Feb. 14 with the first full workout scheduled for Feb. 19.

Gallery: Tim Tebow's pursuit of a baseball career