Keeping Sean Manaea stretched out is a work in progress for Mets

ST. LOUIS — Sean Manaea is still trying to figure out the particulars.

A day after pitching 1 ¹/₃ innings in relief, the displaced Mets starter was asked Monday how he will remain stretched out for the first time he’s needed in the rotation this season.

“I don’t really know,” Manaea said before the Mets beat the Cardinals 4-2 on Monday.

The ideal scenario for the left-hander is one in which he’s used in a piggyback role, allowing him to pitch three or four innings to remain built up.

Manaea will likely be utilized as a sixth starter on the next homestand.

“If it’s going to be like [Sunday], I don’t really know how you do it in that situation, stay stretched out,” said Manaea, who allowed two walks and one hit over his scoreless stint, which consisted of 29 pitches.

Manager Carlos Mendoza indicated there are decisions that will have to be reached regarding Manaea’s usage.

Mets pitcher Sean Manaea (59) reacts as he walks back to the dugout after ending the seventh inning at Citi Field, Sunday, March 29, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

“I’m not worried about this time around,” Mendoza said. “The tricky part is if this becomes something that we are planning on doing, where we are just going to do 30 pitches in games, it will affect him. But with him being built up to 85 pitches the last time he pitched, the 29 he threw [Sunday] we’re not concerned moving forward.

“But then the decision will be, ‘Is it 50 pitches here? Is it 40? Is it another short outing?’ These are some of the things we have to keep in mind.”

• CHECK OUT THE LATEST MLB STANDINGS AND METS STATS

Jorge Polanco has dealt with Achilles soreness the past two days, according to Mendoza, relegating him to DH duty for both games. Jared Young, who went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI, started at first base on this night to become the third Mets player to start at the position this season (Polanco and Brett Baty are the others).

“We’re not concerned [about Polanco] to the point that he is playing,” Mendoza said. “But we want to limit his exposure on the field. We have just got to treat it here and just be careful with him, especially this early.”

Luis Robert Jr. was on the bench, as the Mets look to preserve the outfielder’s legs during this stretch in which the team is scheduled to play nine straight days. Baty received his first major league start in right field — a position at which he worked in spring training.

“That third deck in the outfield is new for him,” Mendoza said. “The sound of the ball off the bat is different compared to a spring training game. You have got more people here. It’s a bigger outfield. There’s a lot of new for him there, but he’s comfortable and if anybody can do it, Brett Baty is the guy.”