PORT ST. LUCIE — When the Mets arrived at spring training, their intention was to go with a six-man rotation from the outset of the regular season. 

After Frankie Montas suffered a lat strain, Carlos Mendoza revealed to The Post that the current plan is to stick with a five-man rotation for the initial three weeks of the season. This is due to the Mets having three early off-days up to April 16, meaning that every starter would enjoy a minimum of five days’ rest until the 18th game of the season.

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That is assuming no rainouts, for example, that can scuttle that strategy. David Stearns suggested possible nuance with the potential of piggy-backing the No. 5 spot early, which would mean six starters, but for every five games. Envision that with full health, the locks are Clay Holmes, Sean Manaea, David Peterson and Kodai Senga, then the fifth spot could be a tandem, choosing among Paul Blackburn, Griffin Canning and Trevor Megill — with Megill the likeliest odd man out because he has minor league options. Blackburn and Canning do not. 

Because the first spring training game is not until Saturday — with Holmes starting — the Mets are not cementing any decision. And, in the big picture, going with six starters looks good on paper, but it is tough to live with a seven-man pen rather than eight while operating in the modern game with how little is asked innings-wise out of a rotation. A short start or injury can wreck strategies.