Flores all ‘right’ at the plate

The Mets aren’t planning to change how they use Wilmer Flores, and the super sub has no problem with his role as a part-time player.

After all, why mess with what’s working?

Flores is excelling in spot duty, not only mashing left-handed pitchers, but hitting righties lately as well. The trend continued on Memorial Day in the Mets’ 4-2 win over the Brewers to start a seven-game homestand.

“I’m just ready to hit,” said Flores, who is now batting .313 with a .798 OPS. “I’m seeing the pitches good.”

Flores went 3-for-3 against Brewers right-hander Matt Garza, twice going to the opposite field, which manager Terry Collins attributes to his improvements against righties. Flores, used almost primarily against southpaws last year because of his uneven splits, started this season similarly. He was just 3-for-32 against righties, but is 17 for his last 40, a .425 average. He insisted he hasn’t made any changes.

After a dismal April when Flores hit just .171 and missed 11 games with a knee infection, he has rebounded in May. Flores is hitting a robust .393 with 11 RBIs and a .909 OPS this month in 60 at-bats.

He was in the middle of rallies in the fifth and sixth, singling in each frame. He scored on pitcher Robert Gsellman’s sacrifice fly in the fifth to give the Mets the lead for good.

His playing time has been sporadic, especially with Lucas Duda and Asdrubal Cabrera returning to the lineup. He got just one at-bat in the weekend series with the Pirates, though he did start seven of the previous eight games, hitting safely in five of the starts. In May, Flores has started 13 games, and has multiple hits in nine of those contests.

“When you’re not playing every day, you want to do something, but I try not to think about that,” Flores said. “I go up there and still have confidence. Even if you’re not playing every day, I try to always be ready. Whenever you get a chance, try to get the job done.”

While Jose Reyes has continued to struggle, his batting average dipping to .202 after an 0-for-4 afternoon, Collins didn’t sound like he was ready to bench the speedy infielder. He plans to give Reyes a day off this week and use Flores at third base, but his playing time will remain mostly the same. Flores will be used as a starter against left-handers and fill in from time time against righties.