Back issue shelves Matz

SAN DIEGO — Steven Matz’s recent performance won’t cost him his next start, but a sore back will.

The Mets lefty, who has battled discomfort near his left scapula, will be skipped in the rotation on Tuesday and instead pitch later in the week, manager Mickey Callaway announced following his team’s 14-2 victory over the Padres on Sunday.

“We just don’t want to take the chance of him coming in on Tuesday not feeling great and not being able to pitch and then we don’t know where we’re at and we have to waste our bullpen,” Callaway said.

Noah Syndergaard will start on normal rest Tuesday, with Matz moved to the end of the line to pitch Saturday. Jacob deGrom, Jason Vargas and Zack Wheeler will pitch ahead of Matz.

Matz threw a bullpen session Sunday and reported no discomfort, a day after feeling soreness.

“It’s something that comes up from time to time and I have actually gotten an injection in it [previously],” Matz said, adding that a bursa sack occasionally forms behind his ribs.

Matz has sputtered in his past two starts. After lasting only 3 ¹/3 innings against the Cardinals on Wednesday and allowing seven runs, four of which were unearned, he met with Callaway to discuss methods for not becoming distracted by the circumstances and continuing to pitch.

Callaway addressed his plan to start playing Jay Bruce at first base on a limited basis. Bruce’s playing time would come at the expense of Adrian Gonzalez, allowing Brandon Nimmo more opportunities to play in the outfield.

“It’s for the benefit of everybody,” Callaway said. “Adrian rested, make sure Nimmo gets in the game as much as he should be playing and keep Bruce in there as often as possible. It’s a fine balance, but everybody has bought in to everything.”

Jeurys Familia was absent from the team to attended a memorial service for his father-in-law, who died last week. Familia was not placed on the bereavement list because that would have required a three-day absence, and the Mets want him available for Tuesday.

Fans seated behind the third-base dugout sang “Happy Birthday” to Gary Cohen late in the game. The longtime Mets broadcaster turned 60 on Sunday.