Mets’ Jesse Winker likely headed to injured list after exiting game

ST. LOUIS — Jesse Winker started his first game of the season in left field on Sunday and by the afternoon’s conclusion was receiving an MRI exam.

The veteran outfielder departed Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Cardinals with right side discomfort from attempting to throw out a runner at the plate.

Winker received an MRI exam on his oblique and was planning Sunday night for a return to New York for further testing.

After the Mets were swept in the doubleheader — losing 6-5 and 5-4 — manager Carlos Mendoza said the expectation is Winker will be placed on the injured list before Monday’s game in Arizona.

The replacement options for a left-handed bat could include Brett Baty, but the infielder has been sidelined since Thursday at Triple-A Syracuse with a sore big right toe, according to Mendoza.

Even so, Mendoza said Baty has been working out pregame in recent days.

For the nightcap, Brandon Nimmo returned to left field — he got a partial rest as the DH in the first game — and Starling Marte started in right field.

Juan Soto was used as the DH.

Marte was removed after four innings, as was Mendoza’s plan because the veteran was playing in the outfield for the first time this season.

Mendoza was asked if rust may have affected Winker (the team’s primary DH) from the physical standpoint of playing the outfield for the first time this season.

“He’s been doing everything he can to stay ready, doing all the defensive work pregame,” Mendoza said.

Winker caught Nolan Gorman’s fly ball to medium left field in the third inning and Brendan Donovan beat the throw home.

The inning ended with Nolan Arenado caught in a rundown between third and home after Luis Torrens threw to second base.

Winker was removed from the game before the Cardinals batted in the fourth.

Dedniel Núñez was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse before the second game to give the Mets an eighth reliever.

Sixth starter Blade Tidwell was optioned back to Syracuse.

The right-hander Núñez was a key piece of the Mets bullpen last season before he was shut down with forearm tightness.

He spent the past month in the minors ramping up and waiting for an opportunity with the Mets.

“When I got sent down it gave me the opportunity to work on my pitches,” Núñez said through an interpreter. “It also gave me time to get into game shape.”

Surgery has been recommended for reliever Danny Young, who was placed on the injured list last week with an elbow sprain.

Young was transferred to the 60-day IL on Sunday, giving the Mets an additional spot on the 40-man roster.