VARGAS’ LAST TUNEUP

ATLANTA — Jay Bruce was not in the lineup for Sunday’s rained out game, a scheduled break to get the Mets’ veteran right fielder off his feet. With Monday a scheduled off day for the Mets, it is also a chance for him to take a deep breath and relax after a rough start to the season. Bruce is 13for-67 in the Mets’ first 20 games.

“I think he’s in a spot right now where he is trying to figure things out,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. “Never a comfortable spot to be in. It leaks into defense, it leaks into all parts of his game. Jay Bruce is a real good player, he’ll bounce back. He’s been through this before, as everybody has. He’ll end up turning it around.”

Bruce had always been considered a streaky hitter by scouts, but last season he was fairly consistent. In his last year before free agency, Bruce hit .254 with 36 home runs and 101 RBI for the Mets and Indians.

He hit a single in Saturday night’s loss to the Braves and said he is starting to feel more comfortable at the plate.

“I’ve started feeling a little bit better at the plate the last few days,” Bruce said. “Usually, I like to play through these things, but he’s the manager and makes the decisions. I understand it.”

Bruce has also been dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, but said Sunday morning it has been feeling a lot better. He has started a new treatment process called shockwave therapy.

“It helps break up the adhesions in there,” Bruce said. “It’s really been feeling good.”

Jason Vargas’ final tuneup before making his season debut will be limited, Callaway said. He will throw about 75 pitches in what is really just a test to make sure he can catch and field the ball.

The lefthander suffered a fractured right hamate bone in spring training. He had the bone removed, but has been unable to use his glove as the wound from surgery healed.

Ironically, the Mets signed the 35-year-old to a two-year deal this spring as insurance against their often-injured starting rotation.