Mets push Noah’s next start back after blister

Noah Syndergaard developed a blister on his middle finger as he was figuratively extending it to the Braves over six innings Monday.

The Mets ace says the blister popped before his departure at 86 pitches, but team officials will play it safe with Syndergaard, giving him an extra day of rest before his next start.

Syndergaard is now scheduled to pitch Sunday against the Marlins at Citi Field. Robert Gsellman, who pitched a scoreless ninth inning in the Mets’ 6-0 victory over the Braves, will move up a day and pitch Saturday.

Syndergaard said he previously battled blister problems in the minor leagues with the Blue Jays.

“The second inning or so it popped up and then probably around the fifth it burst and started causing a little bit of pain,” Syndergaard said.

Collins normally would have sent Syndergaard back to the mound for the seventh, but said it wasn’t worth the risk.

The Braves challenged Syndergaard twice. In the fourth, Freddie Freeman tripled, but was left stranded when Syndergaard struck out Matt Kemp and Nick Markakis. In the sixth, Syndergaard allowed two singles, but struck out Kemp on a changeup before retiring Markakis to end the threat.

“I feel like I did a real good job in the fourth and the sixth innings of not letting the game speed up on me too much,” Syndergaard said. “I think I did kick it into a little extra gear there. That’s why we compete, because it’s fun, and I’m going to get the opposition to challenge you a little bit, and that is real encouraging to know that I can get out of tough jams like that.”

Collins said Syndergaard’s escape acts in the fourth and sixth innings were the difference in the game.

“When he got runners in scoring position, he upped his game, and that is what the great ones do,” Collins said. “You can watch them and they can coast along and then all of a sudden they get under pressure and the stuff gets a little bit better, and that is what I saw out of him today.”