Mets starting Tim Tebow in left field for second time in three games

The stars have certainly aligned this spring for the New York Mets to maximize Tim Tebow's exposure to major league pitching. And they're certainly taking advantage.

Tebow will start in left field Monday for the Mets, making the 250-mile round trip for their game against the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland, Fla. It's his second start in three days after he recorded yet another hit Saturday. He'll face Anibal Sanchez, the struggling Tigers right-hander bidding to maintain his spot in Detroit's rotation.

Tebow, 29, will enter today's game 4 for 17 with five strikeouts in Grapefruit League play. A gaggle of Mets players participating in the World Baseball Classic, coinciding with a stretch of split-squad games, opened the door for Tebow's first few starts.

In the meantime, outfielder Brandon Nimmo suffered a hamstring injury in the WBC, and outfielder/first baseman Jay Bruce now has a back injury after working out significantly at first base.

That created another stretch of opportunity to bring Tebow, the telegenic former Heisman Trophy winner, over from minor league camp.

GALLERY: Tim Tebow at Mets spring training camp