NEW YORK — Yoenis Cespedes was back in the lineup Monday night for the New York Mets, who were still without double play partners Neil Walker and Asdrubal Cabrera for the first game of a pivotal series against Miami.

Cespedes sat out Sunday after his nagging right quadriceps flared up, but the slugger played left field and batted third Monday against Marlins ace Jose Fernandez in the opener of a four-game series.

Mets manager Terry Collins said he thought Cabrera could pinch-hit if needed, but Walker would probably be unavailable – and his status for Tuesday was uncertain.

Cabrera went through agility drills before the game. He had trouble running and moving side to side, Collins said.

The team had hoped Cabrera or Walker – maybe even both – would be able to play.

Yet the Mets chose not to send down rookie Robert Gsellman or any other pitcher – even though Gsellman probably won’t be available for a few days. The right-hander, who threw 94 pitches over six-plus innings Sunday in his first major league start, will likely move to the bullpen once he recovers from his outing, Collins said.

That is pending the return of Steven Matz (shoulder), expected to come off the disabled list Thursday to start against Miami.