The Mets brought in Jorge Polanco to play first base -- which he had not done before this season -- and to be a DH option for manager Carlos Mendoza.

After inserting Polanco as the DH in the last two games, as the veteran infielder deals with a sore Achilles, Polanco was not in Tuesday's lineup against the Cardinals. It's the first game Polanco has missed in the early going, but the Mets skipper signified that this was a planned off day for Polanco.

"Just an off day. Middle of a nine-game stretch, here," Mendoza said ahead of Tuesday's game. "He was going to get a day here. I thought today, with a lefty pitching tomorrow, it was either going to be today or tomorrow, and decided to do it today. Woke up today and he’s in a good spot."

When asked whether Polanco will continue to be the Mets' DH when he returns to the lineup tomorrow or play first, Mendoza said that he wasn't sure but wanted to get through Tuesday's game first. He did say he "wouldn't be surprised" if he penciled Polanco's name at first base tomorrow, however.

Through four games, Polanco is 3-for-15 with a double and one RBI as a Met.

Mendoza was asked about potentially sitting other veterans like Marcus Semien. The manager gave some insight into his thought process and boiled it down to open communication between coach and player.

"They all want to play 162, but we have to be mindful of a lot of these guys," he said. "I’ll continue to talk to him, I’ll continue to visit with him after every game. If it doesn’t happen in this stretch of nine, it’s going to happen. The player will need a day or two. They want to play, they take pride in posting and being available. That’s part of getting to know each other here. And we’ll go from here."

Francisco Lindor, who underwent offseason surgery for a hamate bone, has yet to miss a game or time playing shortstop. Mendoza said that the same philosophy goes for Lindor, but, knowing how Lindor is, he'll have to work on him to give him a breather in the early going.

"It’ll be fluid, but we’ll have to be smart," Mendoza said.

Devin Williams' 'elite' stuff

Williams' second appearance with the Mets came in a save situation on Monday night, and the All-Star reliever showed why the team acquired him this offseason.

It took Williams just 12 pitches (10 strikes) to get a 1-2-3 ninth inning to secure the team's third win of the season.

"He looked pretty nasty. If you look at the metrics, it was pretty good," Mendoza said of Williams and his changeup. "He’s elite. And when he’s on his game and at his best, he’s pretty tough. It was just good to see him out there, getting the first one out of the way, and we have to keep him there."

Across his two appearances, Williams has been near-perfect. He's allowed one baserunner (a walk) in 2.0 innings pitched while striking out three batters.

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