Francisco Alvarez out of Mets’ starting lineup due to shoulder issue

For the second time in three days, Francisco Alvarez was on the bench, but this wasn’t about rest.

The young catcher is dealing with a nagging left shoulder issue he has felt for a few days, according to manager Carlos Mendoza.

Alvarez was still available, but Mendoza preferred to give him the night off as the Mets opened a three-game series against the Twins at Citi Field with a 15-2 rout .

Alvarez felt the shoulder on Sunday when he had to reach for a pitch from starter David Peterson.

“Just want to monitor his workload here,” Mendoza said. “If I need him during the game he’ll be available. But if we stay away from him it would benefit him, not swinging the bat or doing any physical activity.”

Alvarez has struggled offensively in July, slashing .212/.278/.333 with a .611 OPS.

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He went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Sunday’s loss to the Braves.

Right-handed reliever Sean Reid-Foley will make his second rehabilitation appearance on Wednesday.

Mendoza wasn’t sure if Reid-Foley will remain with Single-A Brooklyn.

He could pitch for Double-A Binghamton instead.

Reid-Foley struggled on Sunday, allowing two hits and two earned runs in two-thirds of an inning.

He last pitched for the Mets on June 19.

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He has been out with a right shoulder impingement.

Fellow right-handed reliever Reed Garrett (right elbow inflammation) will face hitters on Wednesday and could begin a rehab assignment shortly afterwards.

Dedniel Nunez (right pronator strain), placed on the injured list on Friday, has yet to resume throwing, but Mendoza said he is improving and could start playing catch this week.

The Mets designated struggling left-hander Jake Diekman for assignment on Monday in a somewhat surprising move.

In his place, they called up fellow southpaw Matt Gage. Diekman allowed runs in each of his last two outings and had a 10.80 ERA in July.

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He never could get his walks under control, issuing 24 bases on balls in 32 innings pitched that contributed to an unsightly 5.63 ERA.

“Not an easy one, especially when you’re dealing with a guy like Diekman, who’s been here since Day 1 — spring training, here all the way to this point, been in this league a long time,” Mendoza said. “He was such a professional. He was always willing to take the baseball. When it was hard for him during his struggles, he was always available, he always wanted to be here. But we got to a point where we needed to make a decision. We decided to go that route.”

Center fielder Harrison Bader was back in the lineup for the first time since tweaking his right ankle last Tuesday against the Yankees and went 1-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI.

Jesse Winker got his first start as a Met in right field.

He had a single and drew a walk in three at-bats.

Mendoza pulled Winker after five innings to ease him into playing the field.

The Nationals had been using him as a designated hitter.

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