New concerns as Nimmo placed on IL with hamstring

WASHINGTON — Brandon Nimmo is among the position players the Mets can’t afford to lose for even a handful of games, but for much of this stretch run, they will have to survive without the energetic center fielder.

After Nimmo left Game 1 of Saturday’s doubleheader with a strained right hamstring, he was placed on the 10-day injured list before the nightcap. Travis Blankenhorn

was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to take the roster spot.

Nimmo, who underwent an MRI exam, termed the strain as “mild” and indicated he’s likely on a weekto-week timetable.

“I’m hoping this is not the end,” he said. “I’m not going to guarantee anything, but in my heart of hearts I really do think I’m going to be back.”

Nimmo missed two months earlier in the season with a ligament tear in his left hand. Nimmo sustained this latest injury while running the bases in the second inning and was replaced for the remainder of the game in center field by Albert Almora Jr. Kevin Pillar started in the nightcap and blasted a two-run homer in the Mets’ 4-3 loss.

Nimmo entered the day with a .416 on-base percentage for the season, which ranked second among players with at least 300 plate appearances.

“He’s part of our big offense lately,” manager Luis Rojas said. “We have a guy like Kevin Pillar to step up — he’s been swinging the bat well lately and maybe come in and play center and be a part of this offense also.”

➤ James McCann was activated from the injured list as the 29th player for the doubleheader and started behind the plate in Game 2. The move came after

Chance Sisco was removed from Friday night’s game in the ninth inning following a home-plate collision with Andrew Stevenson , on which the Nationals scored the tying run.

Sisco, according to Rojas, was tested for a concussion and had his left shoulder and leg examined.

“Today he said he felt better than [Friday] night, which is unusual,” Rojas said.

McCann had been sidelined since Aug. 17 with back spasms. Only adding to the Mets’ catching injuries, Tomas Nido has twice been placed on the injured list in recent weeks with a sprained left thumb.

➤ Jonathan Villar singled in each of the first three innings in Game 1, giving him hits in seven straight at-bats since the previous night. Villar was finally retired in his fourth at-bat on Saturday. He entered play with a 1.002 OPS over his past 25 games.