VARGAS UPDATE

Callaway says he won’t overwork reliever

were rested, seems to be paying off.”

The Mets bullpen went into Sunday night’s game ranked second in the majors with a 1.32 ERA. The relievers have struck out 36 in 27.1 innings and stranded all eight of their inherited runners. They allowed one run over seven innings Sunday night.

Former starters Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman have given the Mets extra flexibility in the pen and allowed Callaway to stick to the idea of keeping his starters from facing a lineup three times. Lugo (three innings) and Gsellman (two innings, though he allowed the game-tying run) allowed Callaway to give Familia a much-needed game off Sunday night. Their effectiveness in relief was part of the reason the Mets decided to bring up Zack Wheeler to start Wednesday, instead of starting Lugo.

“It really makes us excited about how we can use them,” Callaway said. “I know I keep on saying we've got to win tonight, worry about tonight, that is really the case. We have a chance to win because we have them there.”

Familia’s usage will be a focal point this season.

He missed most of the 2017 season because of surgery to remove a blood clot in his right shoulder after having served a 15-game suspension for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy. Before that, the Mets felt that his issues in the postseason — blowing the 2016 National League wild card game and having three blown saves in the 2015 World Series — stemmed from overuse during the season. In 2015, Familia had 10 appearances of more than three outs and in 2016 he had five.

Lefthander Jason Vargas will likely need a minor league rehab start before making his first start for the Mets this season. The 35year old had surgery to remove his hamate bone from his right (glove) hand last month and is just now beginning to be able to use his glove. He threw six simulated innings Saturday in Port St. Lucie.

“He just hasn’t fielded a ball and things like that,” Callaway said. “So that would probably be the next step.”