PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Right-hander Drew Smith -- who has been in the mix for one of the Mets' bullpen jobs -- is returning to New York to have his sore right elbow checked.

The Mets appear to have six relief spots settled, and depending on how many relievers end up on the Opening Day roster, Smith has a chance to get one of the final slots.

The 25-year-old Smith made his Major League debut last year on June 23, and compiled a 3.54 ERA over 27 appearances as the Mets searched for relief options. He’d pitched four times this spring, allowing no earned runs in four innings.

McNeil gets a start at third

The Mets checked another box on the way to Opening Day when Jeff McNeil got a start at third base and pronounced himself comfortable with the position. He also homered and singled in three at-bats in a 9-1 victory over the Cardinals on Sunday.

McNeil came to Spring Training penciled in to play left field. But injuries to Todd Frazier and Jed Lowrie have Mets manager Mickey Callaway looking at other combinations.

“I felt comfortable there,” McNeil said. “I’m just going to go out there and play third and do what I can there. I know I’ll get some days out in left. I’m ready to do whatever they ask me to do.”

One of general manager Brodie Van Wagenen’s offseason goals was to create depth around the diamond, and McNeil understands the value of being able to play multiple positions.

“It feels awesome,” McNeil said. “It’s something I did in college. I played left. I played center. Played second. Played some third. It’s something I’ve done. I feel comfortable wherever they put me.”

Matz has smooth outing

Lefty Steven Matz sailed through 4 innings on Sunday, allowing three singles and a walk. “I’m happy with where I’m at,” Matz said. "To be able to go into the fourth inning today is a good thing. We’ll continue to build up now.”

Matz was in trouble just once, in the top of the second, when the first two Cardinals reached base on a walk and an infield hit. Matz got out of the inning by getting a pair of ground balls, one of them turned for a double play.

“Those situations separate a win from a loss,” Matz said. “Getting your ground ball and not letting it snowball. That’s huge for me. It’s something that in the past I’ve looked to work on. Get that type of stuff under my belt in Spring Training.”

Rosario impresses

Shortstop Amed Rosario hit a three-run home run in the first inning in his first game since getting hit in the left hand with a pitch last Monday. “I felt great to be back out there,” he said through an interpreter. “I think those couple of days off were a great help.”

A potential Opening Day lineup

Callaway started what could be his Opening Day position player lineup, which includes Brandon Nimmo in left and Michael Conforto in right. Conforto started 74 games in left, 56 in center and 10 in right last season. That moving around will end this season.

“We’re going to stick him in right and let him go out there and play,” Callaway said. "One position. Go concentrate on right field and play the best you can, and then go up there and swing the bat.

“Another thing we had in the back of our mind when we made this decision is [Yoenis] Cespedes may return [from two heel surgeries] at some point, and we don’t have to move Conforto over or whatever. It just made a lot of sense to us. He’s playing a great right field. He looks great out there.”

d'Arnaud's strong comeback

Catcher Travis d'Arnaud homered in the seventh inning as he continues to recover from elbow surgery that ended his 2018 season after four games.

“We’ve gotten him 11 at-bats [in camp and Major League games combined], and he’s eight for 11,” Callaway said. “I guess a year off helps when you’re trying to hit. He’s in a very comfortable place at the plate. More impressive was work behind the plate. That’s one of the things he does best. He’s in a really good spot.”

Up next

Left-hander Jason Vargas will make his third spring start when the Mets play the Astros in West Palm Beach at 1:05 p.m. Monday. Seth Lugo, Walker Lockett, Eric Hanhold, Jacob Rhame and Tyler Bashlor are also scheduled to pitch for New York.