Flores hitless in return to lineup

It took a couple more days than expected, but Wilmer Flores was back in the lineup for the Mets on Sunday night against Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers, returning from a strained left hamstring, and with David Wright out because of a neck injury, Flores was inserted at third base.

Flores went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in the Mets’ 4-2 loss.

“I feel really good,” Flores said after going 4-for-17 in five rehab games with Double-A Binghamton.

Matt Reynolds was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas to make room for Flores.

Flores spent much of his time coming back getting accustomed to first base, which is where he is likely to get significant playing time when and if Wright is healthy.

James Loney, the leftyswinging veteran the Mets traded for Saturday, is expected to be activated by Tuesday, but Flores will be in a platoon that also could include Eric Campbell at the position.

Terry Collins hopes the work Flores did at first during spring training with Keith Hernandez pays off.

“I think he’ll be fine there,” Collins said. “I think he’s gotten maybe not the number of reps on the field that you might want, but he’s played the middle of the infield, so you know he’s got athleticism.”

Collins decided to keep Flores at third until Wright returns since he has more experience there.

“If David’s fine in a couple of days, we’ll make the transition over,” Collins said. “We can always get him some extra work over there. That’s the easy part.”

Juan Lagares, who had been hot with six hits in his previous 11 at-bats, including his first two homers of the season, went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Sunday’s game.