ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Terry Collins said he will not have Scott Hairston dabble at second base or Lucas Duda dabble at first base as a means to alleviating his outfield numbers crunch.

So Andres Torres is headed for diminished playing time once the Mets return to Citi Field this weekend, at least until Torres demonstrates he can succeed against right-handed pitching. The switch-hitting Torres is batting .160 this season as a lefty batter.

Collins said Duda should be in the starting lineup in right field regularly regardless of whether the Mets are facing a righty or lefty starter.

The manager added that Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Torres should form a platoon in center. But with the Mets due to face more righty than lefty starters -- including Cincinnati right-handers Bronson Arroyo, Homer Bailey and Johnny Cueto this weekend -- Nieuwenhuis should have a lopsided advantage in playing time.

Jason Bay remains the left fielder for the most part, despite being 1-for-21 since returning from the DL.

Collins said there still will be ways to start Scott Hairston against left-handed pitching in the outfield even with the crowding. Hairston has started 83 major league games at second base, but the manager said he had no intention of using Hairston sporadically there over the lefty-hitting Daniel Murphy.

Similarly, with Ike Davis now starting to heat up at first base, Collins has backed off considering using Duda at first base.

So the five outfielders will have their playing time limited to the three outfield positions.