WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — In 2022, a Jacob deGrom injury helped Tylor Megill make the Mets rotation at the start of the season.

The next year, Justin Verlander went down to open a spot on Opening Day.

And a year ago, Megill won a competition for a spot out of spring training.

But each year, the right-hander has been unable to stay in the rotation over the course of the season.

For that to change, Megill said he needs to take one significant step.

Megill mentioned that his inconsistency has been a challenge for him in the past, particularly in stringing together good starts. He shared that he has experienced periods of strong performances followed by slumps of three or four bad starts.

Due to injuries affecting free agent pitchers Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas, Megill is set to start the season in the rotation once more. In a recent exhibition game against the Astros at Cacti Park of the Palm Beaches, Megill pitched four scoreless innings against a formidable Houston lineup in a 7-4 loss for the Mets.

He also struck out five — including Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez in the bottom of the first.

Megill said his goal is to “not try to be too perfect.

Coming into this year, I want to go deep into games. I’ve got to be more efficient.”

While Kodai Senga, David Peterson, and Clay Holmes appear to have secured the first three spots in the rotation, Megill, along with Paul Blackburn and Griffin Canning, are also contenders for rotation spots as the regular season approaches.

Carlos Mendoza has liked what he’s seen from Megill’s first two starts, and he believes the pitcher’s time in the majors will pay off this year.

“He’s experienced now,’’ Mendoza said. “He has big league stuff, stuff that should play at this level. He’s taking that next step.”

Brandon Nimmo (knee soreness) stayed back in Port St. Lucie again Tuesday and was expected to resume baseball activities, Mendoza said.

“He’ll go on the field [Tuesday and Wednesday], and we’ll see where we’re at,’’ Mendoza said.

The manager added Nimmo “continues to feel better.”

Nimmo received a gel injection in his right knee and has played in just one game this spring. He’s said he hopes to return to Grapefruit League action this week.

Starling Marte felt fine after appearing in his first game of the spring on Monday while dealing with a right knee bone bruise.

Mendoza said Marte, after serving as the DH, “came out fine” Tuesday and is scheduled to be back at DH on Wednesday.

Francisco Alvarez is expected back in camp in Port St. Lucie on Wednesday, Mendoza said.

The competition for Luis Torrens’ backup continued Tuesday against Houston, with Hayden Senger getting the start.

Senger threw out Isaac Paredes attempting to steal second to end the third.

Max Kranick tossed another scoreless inning Tuesday and struck out two more batters. Mendoza said “as of now” the 27-year-old right-hander is being built up as a multi-inning reliever.

With Megill’s start pushed back a day because of inclement weather Monday, prospect Nolan McLean pitched on a back field at minor league camp in Port St. Lucie instead of coming out of the bullpen versus the Astros, according to Mendoza.

Justin Hagenman was among those optioned to minor league camp this week, but Mendoza said he may still get an opportunity in the rotation at some point.

The manager said Hagenman would remain a starter in the minors: “He’s a strike-thrower. He’s a guy we’re gonna be looking at closely.”

The 28-year-old spent all of last year with Boston’s Triple-A Worcester affiliate and signed with the Mets in the offseason.

Mendoza, who spent four years as Yankees bench coach, said it was a “shame” Gerrit Cole would miss all of 2025 with Tommy John surgery.

“You hate to see it, especially to one of the best pitchers in the game,” Mendoza said. “At the end of the day, it comes down to putting on a show for the fans in baseball, and when you see someone go down like that, it’s not good. But knowing Gerrit, he’s gonna do everything he can in his power to be back on the field sooner than later. It’s a shame, but he’ll be back.”