PORT ST. LUCIE — Jacob Barnes might be peaking at just the right time, as the Mets contemplate their bullpen to begin the season.

On Tuesday, the right-hander faced his stiffest test of the spring, entering in the sixth inning with runners on first and second and nobody out, but escaped without a run scoring. Barnes struck out two in the inning.

“That is some of the things we want to see at this point,” manager Luis Rojas said after the Mets’ 5-3 victory over the Marlins. “We talk about simulating what we’re going to start seeing from next week, after the opener, and that was a high-leverage situation and him coming in and getting the two strikeouts and the pop-up, coming back after sometimes losing command a little bit.”

Barnes began the Grapefruit League season with a rough inning in which he allowed three runs against the Cardinals. But since then he’s pitched four scoreless innings — the last three without a hit or walk allowed.

Barnes, 30, was claimed off waivers by the Mets after pitching to a 5.50 ERA for the Angels last season. In November, he signed a one-year deal worth $750,000.

If Barnes makes the team, it could come at the expense of Robert Gsellman, who isn’t guaranteed a roster spot, according to Rojas. Gsellman, who has a minor league option remaining, allowed two runs over two innings against the Nationals on Sunday.

Francisco Lindor and Michael Conforto have been at the forefront of the Mets’ contract extension talks, but Marcus Stroman can also head to free agency after this season.

Stroman, who returned to the Mets this season on a qualifying offer, indicated there hasn’t been dialogue between team brass and his representatives about a possible extension.

“We haven’t gone down that road at all,” Stroman said. “I’m open, but I am focused on doing everything I can to help this team win. I think we’re truly special, so my main focus is getting my body, getting my mind ready so I can go out there and be dominant for 30-plus starts. I truly don’t live outside of the moment.“I don’t even live in tomorrow or next week so I truly believe my free agency will be fine. It’s all been manifested. I work extremely hard so everything will play out as it should.”

Rojas will decide within the next day whether Jacob deGrom’s final spring start will come Friday night against the Nationals at Clover Park or in a “B” game on a back field. DeGrom just faced the Nationals on Sunday and is the scheduled Opening Day starter on April 1 in Washington, so the idea of pitching him in Friday’s main game might not be appealing. If deGrom doesn’t face the Nationals on Friday, the start would belong to David Peterson.