Duda hits homer in Rays debut

Lucas Duda showed both the Mets and the Yankees what they’re missing on Friday.

In his first game with the Rays, Duda homered deep into the right field seats at Yankee Stadium in a game the Yankees won, 6-1.

And while Duda might be sorry to see his time with the Mets end, he didn’t mind going from a team headed nowhere to a contender.

“I’m very thankful and blessed to have been able to spend the amount of time I did with them,” Duda said before hitting cleanup following Thursday’s trade. “That being said, I’m ready for a new chapter. I’m ready to be in the hunt. I’m excited, to say the least.”

That showed on the field, as he ripped a homer for the Rays’ lone run off Masahiro Tanaka. It was his 18th home run of the season.

“It’s kind of bittersweet,’’ Duda said in the visitors’ dugout. “I’m very excited to be here. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next.”

Duda took a red-eye Thursday to get from San Diego to The Bronx in time for Friday’s game. He started at first base, filling in for the injured Logan Morrison. Duda will primarily serve as the designated hitter.

The homer showed why the Yankees also were interested in acquiring Duda, whose swing is perfect for the Stadium’s short porch in right. As he circled the bases, he was booed by the Yankee Stadium crowd.

“I didn’t really notice it,” Duda said. “It’s definitely nice to contribute.”

He admitted that being the subject of trade rumors once the Mets’ season began to slip away took a toll and that he was relieved to learn his fate.

“Once the trade has gone down and the rumors and those things settle down, you can play baseball and enjoy baseball,” Duda said. “[Being traded] is always in the back of your mind. You kind of know something’s gonna happen.”

Asked about the interest the Yankees had in him, Duda said: “I didn’t pay too much attention to it. I knew it may have been a possibility, but it’s all speculations and rumors. I’m here [with] Tampa.”