ST. LOUIS — The Mets are back to a five-man rotation, with an option to eventually add another arm.
According to manager Terry Collins, the team will stick with five starters at least through the conclusion of the series against the Dodgers next weekend at Citi Field and then consider adding a spot starter at some point.
The decision comes after Steven Matz was placed on the disabled list Friday with a torn lat muscle that will keep him sidelined at least into August.
As The Post reported on Thursday, the manager has his top guns lined up for the three-game series against the Nationals that begins Monday. Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard will pitch in succession at Nationals Park, as the Mets attempt to close the NL East gap.
Dillon Gee and Logan Verrett are the leading candidates for spot-starting duty.
“We’re not ready to commit to anybody just yet as the spot starter,” Collins said before the Mets lost. 3-2, to the Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Friday night.
Collins said the goal hasn’t changed of keeping his young guns within their innings limits to avoid late-season shutdowns.
“We have to be smart enough to manage these innings so we don’t get ourselves into a bind,” Collins said.
Travis d’Arnaud has begun swinging a bat and catching in Port St. Lucie, but Collins said it’s too early to say when the catcher might begin playing rehab games. D’Arnaud has been on the disabled list since June 21 with a left elbow sprain.
DeGrom received a standing ovation from teammates upon his return from the All-Star Game. On Tuesday, deGrom needed just 10 pitches to strike out the side in Cincinnati.
Collins, who received a phone call from a friend alerting him deGrom was about to enter the All-Star Game, was hardly shocked by what he saw when he turned on the TV.
“I’ve seen it,” Collins said. “I watched him strike out eight in a row one night. I have seen it all.”
After triggering false alarms in recent weeks about David Wright returning to baseball activities, Collins half-jokingly said he’s “not at liberty” to discuss the third baseman’s rehab.
Wright, who is rehabbing from spinal stenosis, meets each Monday with Dr. Robert Watkins in Los Angeles to have his back evaluated.
Rafael Montero has begun pitching for the Gulf Coast Mets, but likely will need at least two-three weeks, minimum, before he can be considered for the major leagues, according to Collins. The right-hander has been recovering from shoulder soreness since late April.
