Extra day off gives pitching staff

USA TODAY & GETTY THE METS’ series opener against the Braves at Citi Field Tuesday was postponed because of rain.

The teams will make up the contest as part of a single-admission doubleheader Monday, Sept. 25 in Flushing — the next time Atlanta visits the Mets.

Noah Syndergaard will start as scheduled Wednesday against the Braves, facing off with Julio Teheran, who was Tuesday’s scheduled starter. Matt Harvey will start Thursday in the series finale. Robert Gsellman was supposed to start Tuesday, but now the righthander will be skipped this turn through the rotation. Gsellman will be available out of the bullpen in the coming days, Collins said earlier Tuesday afternoon.

Yoenis Cespedes (hamstring) was in the Mets’ lineup Tuesday, batting third and playing left field. But Collins admitted during his pregame press conference that Cespedes would not have played in the rainy and cold conditions. Cespedes missed this weekend’s series against the Nationals because of the hamstring injury he suffered in Thursday’s loss to the

METS VS. BRAVES

7:10 p.m, at Citi Field Noah Syndergaard (1-1, 1.73) vs. Julio Teheran (13-1, 3.52) Phillies while running from first to second base.

When a reporter asked Collins what the “determining factor” would be in whether Cespedes started Tuesday’s game, the Mets skipper joked, “If we play in this condition, you would be in left field before Cespedes tonight.”

Because of the rain, Cespedes was unable to test his leg by running outside. The Cuban outfielder did some work in the weight room with the training staff.

“This is certainly a night where

Tuesday’s rainout has been rescheduled as part of a single-admission doubleheader on Monday, Sept. 25 I’m not sure (if) the smartest thing to do is play him,” Collins said of Cespedes, who missed a good chunk of August last season with a lingering quad strain.

Travis d’Arnaud (right wrist contusion) was prepared to make his return Tuesday after not starting four straight games. D’Arnaud tested his wrist out before the game by throwing in the cage and felt good enough to play.

“To get both of those guys back is going to be big,” Collins said of d’Arnaud and Cespedes. “All of a sudden you’re looking at (being) one or two guys closer to having

Waterlogging of Citi Field by Tuesday’s rain was welcome news to Mets, who are hoping Yoenis Cespedes (from top r.), Asdrubal Cabrera and Travis d’Arnaud will gain some health and be able to contribute when club returns to field tonight against Braves.