Cedric Mullins’ struggles at the plate worsen during Mets’ series with Reds

CINCINNATI — Other than Brett Baty, no Met touched Hunter Greene on Sunday, and for good reason.

The Reds ace was that overwhelming.

But regarding Cedric Mullins, another 0-for-2-with-a-strikeout day reminded the Mets that their primary center fielder since the trade deadline is not hitting.

The addition from the Orioles is 0-for-21 in his past eight games and batting .178 with a .568 OPS in 29 total games with the Mets.

“I think missing fastballs. Late at times. Fouling them off. Not being able to square them up,” manager Carlos Mendoza said of Mullins’ struggles before the 3-2 loss. “Controls the strike zone, but I think he’s missing a lot of good pitches to hit.”

Mullins was acquired partly because of his bat, which did particular damage against lefties while with Baltimore, and partly because of his glove, which nearly robbed a couple of homers Saturday but came up just short.

He is not known for his arm, which was not strong enough to throw out Noelvi Marte at home plate on Sunday, Mullins catching a sacrifice fly in medium-deep center and hitting cutoff man Jeff McNeil, whose relay throw was too late.

Mullins figures to get a longer leash to prove himself, especially with Tyrone Taylor sidelined with a hamstring strain.

McNeil has filled in as center fielder, but the Mets have been hesitant to play the 33-year-old natural infielder in the outfield often.

During a stretch of 10 games in 10 days and 16 in 17, Mark Vientos was out of the starting lineup while Juan Soto moved to designated hitter.

Vientos pinch hit for Mullins in the eighth and grounded out.

Mendoza is hoping to use a struggling Ryan Helsley in a less important pocket of the game.

The fireballer, who has allowed at least a run in nine of his 14 games with the Mets and has pitched to an 11.45 ERA, believes he has fixed a pitch-tipping issue, but the results have not improved.

“I think it’s just the execution,” Mendoza said of Helsley’s struggles. “Being able to elevate the fastball when he needs to, locate the fastball. … I know [pitching coach Jeremy Hefner] is working hard with him, and we got to get him there.”

Reed Garrett, activated from the injured list on the first day the righty was eligible, threw a scoreless seventh inning.

In his sixth rehab start, Tylor Megill lasted just two-plus innings in which he gave up five runs on four hits and two walks with Triple-A Syracuse.

The Mets have said they would discuss the next step for Megill, who has been sidelined with an elbow sprain, after this outing.

As Brandon Sproat and Garrett were added to the active roster, the Mets optioned righties Wander Suero and Kevin Herget to Triple-A Syracuse.

To make 40-man roster room for Sproat, Justin Garza was designated for assignment.

With his ninth-inning home run, Soto extended his hitting streak to nine games.

With his third-inning home run, Baty has a slash line of .323/.388/.516 with five homers, three doubles, 20 runs, 10 RBIs and three steals across his past 28 games.