How Francisco Lindor fared in return to Mets’ lineup: ‘felt good enough’

MILWAUKEE — If there was any benefit to the Mets’ two postponed games in Atlanta, it might have been the extra rest it afforded Francisco Lindor.

The Mets shortstop, after missing eight straight games with lower back discomfort, finally got to play again Friday, when he went 2-for-4 with a walk in his team’s 8-4 loss to the Brewers.

“I felt good enough,” Lindor said. “The pain will come and go, so I am happy with that.”

Lindor committed a throwing error that led to an unearned run.

He said bending over presented the biggest challenge for him.

“Anything that has to do with bending over, that is what bothers me the most,” he said. “But I dove at first [base] and it didn’t hurt, so I will take that.”

Lindor said based on Friday, he’s confident he can play in the remainder of the Mets’ games in the regular season.

“My body was responding the way I wanted it to respond,” Lindor said. “This time of year, there is nobody playing with no pain, so that is part of the game.”

Luisangel Acuña, who performed at a high level during Lindor’s absence, was on the bench.

Manager Carlos Mendoza noted that Acuña can play center field, but Harrison Bader brings an excellent glove to the position as a late-inning replacement. It leaves Acuña as a backup infielder.

Mendoza announced after the game that Jose Quintana will be the Mets’ starting pitcher Saturday.

Mets officials have been taking it “day by day” with the rotation.

David Peterson, Luis Severino and Tylor Megill are all in play for Sunday’s series finale.

“I think it’s really a combination of what the matchups are, where the race is, how different guys are recovering from their prior starts,” Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said. “We are just going to have to circle up after each game and make a decision.”

Stearns clarified roster rules regarding Monday’s potential doubleheader.

For one, the 27th player rule isn’t in effect for a doubleheader since rosters already expanded to 28 players Sept. 1.

In other words, teams won’t get to add to their existing rosters.

Also, even though the regular season would end Monday, if a team options a player to the minor leagues, that player would be ineligible to return for 10 to 15 days (depending on whether it’s a pitcher or position player).

Kodai Senga continues to throw, according to Stearns.

The next step for the right-hander, who left a minor-league rehab start last Saturday with triceps tightness, is to throw live batting practice, but there is no time table yet for that to occur.

J.D. Martinez went hitless in three at-bats and ran his drought to 0-for-35.