Stats say more left for Lindor

SAN FRANCISCO — Francisco Lindor has started to figure it out batting left-handed.

The switch-hitting Mets shortstop was a non-entity batting left-handed over the first three weeks of the season, but had a breakout of sorts over the weekend, going 5-for-9 (.555) with a homer from that side of the plate against the Dodgers. Before that surge Lindor was 5-for-55 (.111) batting lefty.

On Monday, Lindor took a small step backward with an 0-for-3 performance (all batting left-handed) in the Mets’ 5-2 loss to the Giants at Oracle Park. Lindor reached base on a walk in the seventh inning.

In the big picture, the Mets are pleased with what they have seen from Lindor’s lefthanded at-bats lately.

“He’s just not missing pitches,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “I have been saying it all along: He’s a great player and eventually he was going to get going. It’s not easy to switch hit and a lot of times they feel better from one side, but now he’s getting good pitches and putting good Swings on it. I like the way he is controlling the strike zone as well.”

➤ Sean Reid-Foley was activated from the injured list and Josh Walker recalled from Triple-A Syracuse, the latter move giving the Mets a second lefty in the bullpen with Brooks Raley on the IL. ReidFoley and Walker each pitched a scoreless inning Monday.

Grant Hartwig was optioned and Michael Tonkin designated for assignment to create roster space. For Tonkin it was a second DFA by the Mets this season and his third overall.

➤ Kodai Senga will throw two bullpen sessions this week before potentially moving to the next phase in his rehab, facing hitters. The right-hander is on the 60-day IL and won’t pitch for the Mets until at least May 27.

➤ J.D. Martinez is scheduled to begin playing for Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday and then potentially debut for the Mets this weekend.