Double impact! Duda ‘back’ with a bang

PORT ST. LUCIE — Even extra rust couldn’t prevent Lucas Duda from making a contribution Friday.

After missing the Mets’ initial seven exhibition games following back spasms, Duda delivered a two-run double in an 11-3 victory over the Astros. Duda finished 1-for-2 as the first baseman and was removed in the fifth inning.

“I haven’t seen live pitching in quite some time, but it will take a little bit to get back and I’m looking forward to it,” Duda said. “I feel great, and that’s the most important thing.”

Manager Terry Collins said he would like to start Duda at designated hitter Saturday to begin building up his plate appearances.

“The one thing he has cut back on, and that’s the practice reps,” Collins said. “His whole approach is, ‘If I didn’t do that, would I have ever gotten to the big leagues?’ The answer is, nobody knows. But how hard he worked, it got him here and he tried to maintain it. But big and strong, if you overwork the body it is going to break down on you.

“He realizes now that he has to cut back and he has. If we keep him out there and keep him solid and keep him strong, that potential off the bat is off the charts.”

Josh Edgin had a second shaky outing in three relief appearances this spring, allowing one run on one hit and one walk in the sixth inning. Edgin is battling Josh Smoker and Tom Gor

zelanny for the second lefty’s role in the bullpen behind Jerry Blevins.

“[Edgin] changed his delivery a little bit. He isn’t quite as high in his delivery,” Collins said. “He is trying to work on a couple of things, more ball movement as opposed to velocity.”

Curtis Granderson was absent from the lineup a day after jamming his left thumb diving for a ball in the outfield. A precautionary X-ray of the thumb was negative.