PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Tim Tebow quickly got into the swing of spring training, hitting nine home runs in batting practice Monday during his first workout with the New York Mets.

The former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback is hoping to make to the majors as an outfielder. He signed a minor league contract last September.

The 29-year-old Tebow played in the Arizona Fall League, struggling against top prospects from other teams. He hit .194 and struck out 20 times in 62 at-bats for the Scottsdale Scorpions.

“It’s so much about how you’re able to handle things mentally, and that’s not just the highs, it’s also the lows,” the lefty hitter said.

“Baseball can really exploit that if you’re not ready for it — to be ready for the droughts and be able to handle the highs and lows. I think I was 0 for my first 13 (in Arizona), so I was like, ‘OK, that’s going to happen.’ But I’m going to bounce back, and I think I was able to do that,” he said.

Tebow said similar poor results as a member of the New York Jets in 2012 also were part of a learning process.

“I’m grateful for the highs there — which weren’t really many — but for a lot of the lows,” said Tebow, who was released after one season with the Jets in which he threw just eight passes and ran 32 times.

“It was not necessarily the most fun situation, but there were so many things I learned. Everything happens for a reason; that situation happened for a reason. I learned from it. I’m grateful for it. I can honestly say that,” he said.

Cardinals (ss) 5, Nationals 4

Lance Lynn, out of the majors last year after Tommy John surgery, pitched two innings in his spring debut for St. Louis, allowing four hits and one earned run.

Trea Turner homered for Washington. He’s beginning what’s expected to be his first full season in the big leagues as a full-time shortstop after spending last year in center field and at second base.

Cardinals (ss) 7, Red Sox 2

St. Louis starter Michael Wacha allowed four hits and an unearned run in two innings. Jose Martinez hit two home runs and drove in four.

Xander Bogaerts and Mitch Moreland each got two hits for Boston.

Pirates 2, Blue Jays 1

Toronto starter Marcus Stroman worked two perfect innings, striking out three. Jose Bautista singled home the Blue Jays’ run.

Pirates catcher Jacob Stallings, son of Pitt basketball coach Kevin Stallings, had two hits.

Cubs 5, White Sox 4

White Sox slugger Jose Abreu hit a two-run homer, his first of the spring, as part of a two-hit day. Abreu left for Miami after the game to attend to a personal matter. He is expected back Wednesday.

Addison Russell and Wilson Contreras each hit their first homers of the spring for the Cubs in a game called after nine innings. Brett Anderson, who signed in January with the Cubs on a one-year deal, threw a scoreless inning.

Brewers 5, Rangers (ss) 0

Lewis Brinson got three hits for Milwaukee and Scooter Gennett added two hits with a walk.

Shin-Soo Choo and Rougned Odor had two of the Rangers’ three hits.

D’Backs 6, Reds 1

Patrick Corbin struck out three in two hitless innings for Arizona. Scott Feldman gave up two runs in 1 2/3 innings for Cincinnati.