Max Scherzer’s suspension will do more than remove a starting pitcher for 10 games when the Mets’ rotation already is in a dire situation.

It also will force the Mets to play shorthanded and, thus, could imperil Brett Baty’s roster spot.

MLB announced its 10-game suspension Thursday evening.

Scherzer was ejected from the game Wednesday against the Dodgers when umpires determined he had an illegal sticky substance on him.

MLB is fixated on trying to eliminate illegal sticky substances for pitchers.

Scherzer claimed he was using only legal rosin and sweat, not an illegal substance (excess rosin, though, also could be deemed as illegal). 

With Scherzer suspended, the Mets will have to decide how they will go about playing with 25, rather than 26, players for 10 games.

Essentially, they would either have to go with 12 pitchers (rather than the maximum of 13) or they would have to option Baty or Luis Guillorme. Or, very possibly, they would have to do a combination of those within the 10 days.

Want to catch a game? The Mets schedule with links to buy tickets can be found here.

Initially, the Mets could go with 12 pitchers and just see if they can survive the 10 days with one fewer pitcher than normal.

They could emphasize relievers who can provide multiple innings and also have options remaining, such as Jeff Brigham, Edwin Uceta and Denyi Reyes.

They then could send a pitcher to the minors and get a fresh arm back up while staying at 12 pitchers and, notably, seven relievers.

But what complicates matters is that the Mets might be down four starting pitchers at that point — Scherzer, Justin Verlander (if he has not yet returned from injury), Carlos Carrasco and Jose Quintana.

Thus, they could expect not to get much in terms of starting length and would need as much bullpen bulk as possible.

If that occurs, and they have to drop from 13 to 12 position players, they do not have a ton of alternatives.

Core players such as Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil have options, but would not be demoted. Francisco Alvarez can’t be optioned because of the need to maintain two catchers.

That really leaves Baty or Guillorme, who have options that players such as Tommy Pham and Mark Canha do not.

Guillorme is the Mets’ backup shortstop. They can try to have Francisco Lindor play every inning during a Scherzer suspension and use Eduardo Escobar in an emergency.

If they feel they can’t live without Baty’s bat, perhaps that is what they would do. But Baty clearly would be the other choice to be demoted.

If either Baty or Guillorme is sent to the minors, he must spend at least 10 days down, unless there is an injury that would allow a quicker return.