Megill takes step in right direction

SAN FRANCISCO – It was a small accomplishment, but the Mets rotation is one step closer to being complete again. Tylor Megill (right biceps tendinitis) played long toss on Monday and it went well, the Mets said. Megill has been on the injured list for just over one week, but the sooner he can ramp up, the sooner the team will welcome his return.

“He had a good day today,” Buck Showalter said. “It was good news. He’s progressing well today.”

Megill posted a 2.43 ERA in his first six starts of the season, with the Mets going 5-1 in those half-dozen outings. He coughed up eight earned runs and recorded only four outs against the Nationals in his final outing before landing on the IL.

With three key starters on the shelf, Showalter and the front office have entered the spot-starter portion of the schedule. Max Scherzer (oblique strain) and Jacob deGrom (scapula stress reaction) are both out and rehabbing for at least the next month, with neither likely to return before July.

The team is leaning toward calling up minor-league left-hander

Thomas Szapucki for the Wednesday series finale against the Giants, while Trevor Williams is also an option.

PIGNATANO DIES

Longtime Mets bullpen coach Joe Pignatano died Monday in Naples, Florida, after battling dementia. He was 92 and the last living coach from the ’69 Miracle

Mets.

Pignatano played six seasons in the majors, catching for the Brooklyn and L.A. Dodgers, Athletics, Giants and Mets. He was behind the plate in the Dodgers’ last game at Ebbets Field in 1957. He coached for the Mets from 1968-81 and was known for growing tomatoes in the bullpen. He earned one World Series ring as a player with the 1959 Dodgers and one a decade later with the Mets.

HOUSEKEEPING

The Mets optioned reliever Jake Reed to Triple-A Syracuse to make room for Monday’s starter, David Peterson. They will need to make another roster move this week if they decide to call up Szapucki for Wednesday’s start.

In addition, third base coach Joey Cora was absent from the team due to personal reasons on Monday for their series opener in San Francisco.