Mets trying to withstand injuries with key trio out of starting lineup again

ATLANTA — The Mets are banged up, but manager Carlos Mendoza doesn’t see a potential long-term storm brewing.

Jeff McNeil, Brandon Nimmo and Luis Torrens were all absent from the starting lineup for a second straight day, leaving the Mets thin in the lineup for their 12-7, series-opening win over the Braves on Friday night.

McNeil underwent an MRI exam on his right shoulder that, according to Mendoza, didn’t show structural damage.

McNeil was on the bench as a pinch-hitting option — a role he served Thursday before playing a half-inning in left field.

McNeil’s discomfort has stemmed from throwing.

The shoulder began bothering him roughly a week ago — prompting Mendoza to use him as the DH in consecutive games last weekend.

“He’s just got to play through it,” Mendoza said, noting that McNeil has begun taking medication for his shoulder. “He is just kind of in a weird spot here. We are giving him some extra time for the medicine to start working.”

Nimmo, who departed Wednesday’s game with neck stiffness, was showing improvement and expected to partake in baseball activities. But he did not play in Friday’s win.

Torrens was dealing with left hand soreness after he was clipped behind the plate on a swing Wednesday — ruled a catcher’s interference.

“Every team is dealing with something,” Mendoza said. “We’re not the only ones and we have got to find a way.”

The Mets began play with a 5.21 ERA in August, the largest contributing factor to the team’s 5-13 record for the month.

Offensively, the Mets had produced at a .263/.334/.472 clip, giving them an .805 OPS that ranked third in the National League for the month.

The Braves celebrated the 30th anniversary of the franchise’s first World Series title in Atlanta with a parade that included many of the players from that team through the battery outside Truist Park before the game and on-field ceremony.

The 1995 Braves, led by Hall of Famers Chipper Jones, Fred McGriff, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz, defeated Cleveland in the World Series.

Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox, who has been in declining health in recent years, also made a rare appearance.