Baby steps! Yo finally able to run

TORONTO — Yoenis Cespedes has begun running again. The Mets slugger, who has been out since May 14 with a “mild strain of his right hip flexor,” ran 60-yard “dashes” on Monday, according to manager Mickey Callaway.

“He did some things that started that running progression,” Callaway said. “He kind of moved around a little bit, all went really well. He came in today in a really good spot and will progress from there.”

Cespedes had been reporting soreness in his right quad area, which is included in the muscles that make up the hip flexor, as late as last week, but apparently the soreness has finally subsided.

“The goal was to get the soreness completely out before he started running, so he came in the other day and it was gone,” Callaway said. “They got him on his feet. He ran at 75% and had no issues.”

Cespedes has missed the last 44 games. The 32-year-old missed 81 games last season because of issues with both of his hamstrings. He was on the disabled list with a quad issue in 2016.

Last month, former Mets GM Sandy Alderson had said that the issue had become a “chronic” one for Cespedes, which he might have to learn to play through. That’s concerning news for the Mets, who signed the Cuban outfielder to a four-year, $110 million deal before the 2017 season.

SIM CITY

Noah Syndergaard and Jason Vargas both came through a simulated game on Tuesday without issues, Callaway reported. Syndergaard went three “innings” and threw 50 pitches while Vargas went four “innings” and threw 65 pitches.

“Both came out of it really good. Obviously we’ll have to wait and see how Syndergaard comes tomorrow with his finger and kind of move on from there,” Callaway said, “but both went really well.”

Syndergaard has not pitched in a game since May 25 because of a strained ligament in his right index finger. He would need at least one rehab game before he can return to the rotation.

Vargas has been on the DL with a strained right calf since June 22. He still has not begun running or attempting to field his position.

“He didn’t have to bounce off the mound,” Callaway said.

Neither Syndergaard nor Vargas would be able to start the doubleheader scheduled for Monday at Citi Field, Callaway confirmed.

Vargas and Syndergaard will continue to ramp up on a regular five-day schedule, meaning the soonest Syndergaard could be expected back would be the weekend before the All-Star break. ... Devin Mesoraco left Tuesday night’s game after taking a foul ball to the facemask and then a bat to the back of the helmet. The catcher passed the first phase of the concussion tests required.