Girardi feels for Marlins

TORONTO — It’s difficult to imagine the emotions the Mets felt Monday night as they took the field against the Marlins one day after the death of Miami pitcher Jose Fernandez, but Joe Girardi knows what they were going through. In 2002, Girardi’s Cubs were set to take on the Cardinals when pitcher Darryl Kile was found dead in his hotel room, stunning the Cardinals and the entire baseball community.

The game was canceled — Girardi made the announcement to the Wrigley Field crowd — but the teams played the next night, a game Girardi didn’t believe should have taken place.

“I don’t know when the right time is, but I just felt like it was just too much for Cardinals organization to deal with,” Girardi said. “You could see it. Think about it; a Cubs-Cardinals series, there’s a lot of excitement. There was none, in a sense. I don’t know how they played. I didn’t understand it.”

BEN THERE

Dellin Betances’ late-season issues continued Monday night as the closer issued two walks, threw a wild pitch and made a fielding error to load the bases with nobody out in the ninth with the Yankees leading by four runs.

“Honestly, right now I just feel like my mechanics are off,” Betances said. “I’m yanking a lot of pitches and falling behind; that’s what’s hurting me.”

Betances doesn’t believe the closer’s role is the reason for his struggles. After allowing one run over 15 outings and saving nine of 10 games between August 1 and September 5, he’s posted a 15.00 ERA over his past eight appearances since September 6.

“I think he’s a little frustrated,” Girardi said. “We’ll get that ironed out. He’s been through this before.”

READY OR NOT?

Masahiro Tanaka will be examined by team physician Dr. Chris Ahmad on on Tuesday in New York, at which point a decision will be made whether he’ll make his final start of the season later this week.

Tanaka has been undergoing treatment since last Thursday, when it was revealed he had a slight flexor mass strain in his right forearm. He hasn’t thrown at all, and while the plan was for him to make his final start next weekend against Baltimore, it appears to be a possibility that he has thrown his final pitch of 2016.

If Dr. Ahmad declares Tanaka healed, the pitcher could throw a bullpen session on Wednesday or Thursday, then start Saturday.