METS WRECK ANOTHER deGROM GEM

The day began mostly like any other day. But by game time, the Mets had placed a pitcher, left-hander Steven Matz, on the 10-day disabled list.

So it really was just like any other day for the Mets.

But in placing Matz on the DL (retroactive to Wednesday) because of a flexor pronator strain in his left arm, there was a sense of relief. The plan — OK, call it hope — is that Matz will miss only one start. And that would be Sunday when Corey Oswalt, summoned from Triple-A Las Vegas as the corresponding move, will start against Atlanta.

“It was just backing it down a little bit. We have the time right now just to miss one start. It’s not the end of the world and just let it calm down and try to finish strong,” said Matz, who raised red flags, sounded alarm bells and caused prayer candles to be lit when he complained of a “dead arm” recently.

And then him getting shelled for seven runs in two-thirds of an inning against the Nationals didn’t leave anybody feeling warm and fuzzy. An MRI exam revealed no structural damage, but brought exhales of relief. So with the Mets basically fighting for draft positioning the rest of the way, the decision to give Matz rest for one start seemed prudent.

“Really just more thinking of what the right thing is at this point for Matz moving forward. It’s something that there’s no reason to push him through at this point,” manager Mickey Callaway said. “A different scenario we could, but it doesn’t make much sense right now. So give him a little bit of a breather and have him come back and ready to go and finish strong.”

So Matz’s rest is another opportunity for Oswalt, 24, who is 1-2 with a 5.27 ERA in six games — including five starts — for the Mets. He has impressed Callaway, especially in his more recent outings.