Torres troubled by strained calf

WASHINGTON — Carlos Torres’ left foot was in a walking boot late Monday afternoon, probably eliminating the righthander from the Mets bullpen mix for an extended period.

The Mets reliever departed the game with a strained left calf he sustained f ielding Michael A. Taylor’s grounder in the fifth inning.

“You know Carlos, he lives and dies with his legs, because that is what he uses to pitch,” manager Terry Collins said after the Mets beat the Nationals 8-5. “He’s a drop-and-drive guy, so he’s going to miss some time so I have to find somebody else.”

Among the possibilities will be Logan Verrett, who was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas following the game. Verrett also could see action in the starting rotation depending on how much Matt Harvey pitches for the remainder of the regular season.

Torres pitched 1 1/ 3 shutout innings for the Mets on a day their bullpen combined for 5 2/3 scoreless.

“I put the team in a little bit of a predicament,” Torres said. “But [Erik] Goeddel came in and did a good job and so did everybody else who filled the gap.”

In addition to Verrett, the Mets summoned infielder Dilson Herrera and catcher Johnny Monell from Triple-A Las Vegas.

Daniel Murphy returned to the lineup as the f irst baseman after missing the last three starts with strained left quadriceps. Murphy f inished 0-for-4 at the plate.

Lucas Duda rejoined the club, but was absent from the starting lineup because Collins thought the first baseman might be cutting it close in his arrival from Double-A Binghamton, where he completed a rehab assignment. Duda was available for pinch-hitting duty, but did not appear.

Michael Con for to, who homered leading off the second, is on a 23-for-65 (.353) tear in his last 21 games since Aug. 13. The rookie has six homers for the Mets this season.