Ramos a pen piece for 2018

SEATTLE — AJ Ramos is expected to begin his Mets tenure on Sunday.

The former Marlins closer was en route Saturday to join his new team, a day after the surprising trade completed by general manager Sandy Alderson with an eye toward 2018. Ramos, a 30-year-old right-hander, was 2-4 with a 3.63 ERA with 20 saves for the Marlins.

“He’s got a very good split, you have got to hunt it,” manager Terry Collins said before the Mets’ 3-2 loss to the Mariners at Safeco Field. “He knows how to locate his fastball. This guy is a good pitcher. We certainly excited to have him.”

In the deal, the Mets surrendered minor leaguers Merandy Gonzalez and Ricardo Cespedes. In return they received a piece they can pair with Jeurys Familia to form the foundation of their bullpen.

Addison Reed, who has filled the closer’s role as Familia rehabs following May surgery to remove a blood clot in his right shoulder, is expected to be dealt by Monday’s nonwaiver trade deadline.

Collins said he will not hold back pitching Reed.

“If he’s not pitching it’s because he doesn’t feel good,” Collins said. “I’m not worried about trades, that’s not my territory. If he feels good enough to pitch today he will pitch, if he needs a day he will get a day.”

Jacob deGrom’s eight games with double digits in strikeouts this season are the most by a Mets pitcher since 1992, when David Cone had that many such performances. DeGrom, with 162 strikeouts, trails only Max Scherzer (201) and Clayton Kershaw ( 168) among NL pitchers.

Neil Walker had a rough day in his second game back from the disabled list: He threw the ball into left field on a force play at second base in the third inning that allowed the Mariners to score an unearned run.

“I’ve got to be better than that, the flow of the game is still coming back to me, but there’s no excuse,’’ Walker said. “I just needed to make that play.’’

Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger was scheduled to have plastic surgery to repair the cuts he suffered after being hit in the face by a 95-mph fastball by deGrom in the second. There were no broken bones and he will be put on the DL on Sunday.