Montero recall expected

WASHINGTON — The Mets’ safety net has eroded, leaving Rafael Montero as perhaps the team’s only real option to complete the rotation.

With Noah Syndergaard headed for the disabled list after leaving Sunday’s game with lat discomfort — he was traveling to New York for an MRI exam to determine the extent of the injury — the 26-year-old Montero is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas to start Friday against the Marlins.

Montero pitched Saturday for Las Vegas and allowed two earned runs on two hits with nine strikeouts and three walks over 5 ¹ /3 innings.

The Mets began spring training with seven starters for five spots, but lost Steven Matz and Seth Lugo to the disabled list as camp concluded, exhausting their rotation depth. Both pitchers are rehabbing in Port St. Lucie, Fla., but have just begun throwing from the slope of the mound. Matz has been bothered by elbow discomfort — that he says doctors have diagnosed as a strained flexor tendon — and Lugo is recovering from a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament.

Montero began the season in the bullpen and went 0-2 with a 9.45 ERA in six appearances.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson recently indicated the team is not actively seeking rotation help, noting the scarcity of trade options at this point in the season. And any free agent the Mets sign would need several weeks to build up into pitching shape.

Lucas Duda will not rejoin the Mets on Monday, as the team originally had hoped. The first baseman still has soreness in his left elbow upon full extension, according to the club. Duda was originally placed on the disabled list with a hyperextended left elbow.

Wilmer Flores, who has been on the DL with a knee infection, homered in a minor-league rehab game for Single-A St. Lucie.

Manager Terry Collins

moved Jose Reyes to the 2-hole in the batting order, but kept

Michael Conforto at leadoff because he didn’t want to risk disrupting his recent success in that spot. Conforto and Reyes both finished 1-for-5.