Second baseman Luis Castillo was in the eighth spot in the batting order for the fourth game in a row last night, but Willie Randolph said it won’t be permanent.

The Mets still envision Castillo as their regular No. 2 hitter and made the switch in part as a concession to recent soreness in Castillo’s surgically repaired knee.

“I like the way it looks and I like the flow, but Luis is still my No. 2 hitter,” Randolph said. “It’s nice to know he can hit eighth. He’s perfect for both spots.”