No Lag’ in return means Conforto may see AAA

PORT ST. LUCIE — Juan Lagares’ oblique isn’t as bleak as the Mets originally feared.

Results of an MRI exam indicated the outfielder has a mild strain on the left side, and manager Terry Collins said Lagares will be evaluated on a daily basis, perhaps leaving him time to receive a spot on the Opening Day roster.

On Tuesday, Lagares said he is less than full strength, but is encouraged by the way he’s felt. If Lagares is going to break camp with the club, Collins would like to see him participate in the Mets’ scrimmage against Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

The Mets are prepared to begin the season with Michael Conforto as the backup center fielder if Lagares needs a stint on the disabled list. But if Lagares begins the season with the club, Conforto will likely be optioned to Las Vegas.

Jeurys Familia returned to camp after meeting with commissioner Rob Manfred in New York a day earlier. The Mets are waiting for an announcement on a likely suspension for Familia for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy.

Paul Sewald made a strong impression on team off icials, but fell short in his bid for a bullpen role with the Mets to begin the season — the righty was reassigned to minor league camp. Working against Sewald was the fact he is not on the 40-man roster. Collins also cited Sewald’s need to develop another pitch to combat lefties. Sewald posted a 2. 51 ERA in 11 exhibition games. Kevin Plawecki was also reassigned to minor league camp. Plawecki will begin the season as insurance at Triple-A Las Vegas if Travis d’Arnaud or Rene Rivera sustains an injury. Yoenis Cespedes asked to make the road trip to Jupiter Monday so he could watch his 8-year-old son, Yoenis Jr., go 2-for-3 with five RBIs in a baseball game in the West Palm Beach area.