Nimmo won’t use hand as excuse

MIAMI — Brandon Nimmo insists he is fine physically, but he’s also well aware he has slumped since getting drilled in the right hand last Sunday.

With his 0-for-5 performance Sunday, the Mets outfielder — who had been carrying the lineup until recently — has one hit in his past 17 at-bats since the plunking.

“My hand feels fine,” Nimmo said after the Mets beat the Marlins 5-2. “But I obviously have not found it yet. I am super late, my bat speed is not there. I am having to make decisions a lot sooner than I was beforehand, but my hand feels fine so I don’t know what the problem is right now.”

The fact he is not driving the ball is most alarming to Nimmo.

“I thought two games off maybe a little bit of timing at first, but I’ve had plenty of time back now, and so I am seeing the ball fine,” Nimmo said. “Since I’ve been back, I have had one hit and that was a dinker. I have not driven the ball once, so that is a problem and I am working hard to fix that, but I haven’t found that yet.”

Dominic Smith received a cortisone shot in his wrist last week, but Callaway said it has not prevented him from starting — the first baseman/outfielder was on the bench for the entire series against the Marlins. Smith made his second pinch-hitting appearance of the series on Sunday and will likely start the next two games in Toronto, where the designated hitter will be used.

Noah Syndergaard and Jason Vargas are scheduled to pitch against each other Tuesday in a simulated game in Port St. Lucie. Syndergaard has not pitched for the Mets since May 25 because of a strained ligament in his right index finger. Vargas was placed on the disabled list last week with a strained right calf.

Jay Bruce (hip strain) has been swinging a bat, according to Callaway, and will likely begin taking batting practice on Thursday’s off day, after the Mets return home from Toronto.