Mets’ Jesse Winker heads back to New York for MRI

BALTIMORE — Jesse Winker’s return to the Mets lasted all of three plate appearances before the arrival of another injury concern. 

The veteran DH departed Thursday’s 3-1 loss to the Orioles in Game 1 of a doubleheader with back tightness and was scheduled for a return to New York for an MRI exam. 

Winker popped out in the first inning and was replaced in the lineup by Mark Vientos in the third.

Winker had returned Tuesday from a two-month stay on the injured list after rehabbing an oblique strain. 

Another veteran DH option, Starling Marte, was placed on the IL this week with discomfort stemming from a bone bruise in his right knee. 

In the short term, at least, it leaves Vientos — who lately had been limited to receiving at-bats against lefties — as the team’s primary DH option.

He started in that spot for the nightcap of the doubleheader after going 2-for-3 with a double in the first game. Vientos had started the day in a 2-for-27 (.074) nosedive. 

“He hit the ball hard,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He’s a good hitter just going through it. Hopefully, that kind of game gets him going.” 

The Mets recalled Luisangel Acuña from Triple-A Syracuse before Game 1, as Travis Jankowski was designated for assignment.

Acuña gives the team another option at second base and will also play center field, according to Mendoza. 

The rookie, after entering the game as a defensive replacement for Brett Baty at second base in Game 1, started at the position in the nightcap. 

Mendoza said the plan when Acuña was optioned to Syracuse last month was for him to receive 40-50 plate appearances before potentially returning. He received 53 plate appearances. 

“We knew how important he was for this ballclub,” Mendoza said. “The versatility, the speed — there is a lot of upside there. He was a big part of this team the first couple of months, and it got to the point where we said, ‘Let’s get him some everyday playing time [at Syracuse],’ and now it’s time for him to be back up here and continue to help us win baseball games.” 

Paul Blackburn was scheduled to throw a bullpen session as he looks to return from a right shoulder impingement that has sidelined him since June 30.