To relax off field, Mets play ball

NEW YORK — Bartolo Colon, the Mets’ 43-year-old fun uncle, is tossing one-handed passes to Asdrubal Cabrera’s son, Meyer. Colon’s sitting in front of his Citi Field locker, flanked by a number of teammates who chuckle as the younger Cabrera hoists shots at the basketball hoop affixed to a stanchion in the team’s clubhouse.

One shot is snatched out of mid-air by Yoenis Cespedes, as if the fan favorite is stealing a hard-hit liner in the outfield. He steps back and floats a shot of his own. It sails over the hoop.

Part of the reason for the Mets’ success despite a litany of injuries, players suggest, is the team’s chemistry. Manager Terry Collins has lost captain David Wright and right-hander Matt Harvey for the season, with first baseman Lucas Duda all but done for the year as well. Catcher Travis d’Arnaud has spent time on the disabled list, and virtually all of the team’s starting pitchers and regular positions players have dealt with some physical ailment.

But, stationed in the middle of the clubhouse, there’s a hoop. There are four basketballs strewn across the floor. And there’s a roster of players looking to decompress from the pressure of playing for a championship contender in Queens.

“It’s just, like, whoever’s standing around, for the most part — just foul shot competitions, or H-O-R-S-E,” second baseman Neil Walker said.

He added: “It can be competitive at times.”

Not too competitive, of course. Players aren’t jockeying for rebounds and throwing elbows amid the constant scuffle of trainers, …

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