Tomás Nido didn’t know if he would get an opportunity with the Mets this season. The veteran catcher — a member of the organization for more than a decade — began the year at Triple-A Syracuse, the same place he finished 2023, with Francisco Alvarez establishing himself as the Mets’ everyday backstop and Omar Narváez returning as his backup. But Nido, 30, was pressed into duty last week, called up to replace Alvarez as the latter recovers from left thumb surgery that is expected to keep him out for two months. “I’m grateful to be here,” Nido told the Daily News. “Grateful to be back.” Originally an eighth-round pick in 2012, Nido debuted with the Mets in 2017 and has spent time with the big-league club in each of the past eight seasons. The Mets’ April 21 game in Los Angeles was his first in the majors since June 3. He’d been designated for assignment, cleared waivers, sent to the minors and brought to spring training as a non-roster invitee in the 10 months since then. “I was just trying to take it one day at a time,” Nido said. “It wasn’t easy. Obviously [the recall] happened in a way that you would never wish, for someone to get injured. That was super unfortunate in that sense. I’m pretty close with Alvy, so that hurt to see, but at the end of the day, you have to move forward. I’m just trying to patch that bridge until he’s back.” Lauded for his defense and pitch-framing, the right-handed Nido provided a boost with his bat in his third game back, hitting a home run and a double in the Mets’ 4-2 loss to the Cardinals on Friday. His opposite-field, fifth-inning solo shot against Miles Mikolas marked his first MLB home run since Sept. 30, 2022. Nido was back in the Mets’ starting lineup Sunday against the Cardinals, batting ninth. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza says he envisions a 50/50 split for playing time between Nido and the lefty-hitting Narváez. “He’s a guy that’s been at this level,” Mendoza said of Nido. “He can catch, and you can see it with his framing and with the way he handles the pitching staff. He impressed me. His preparation. The meetings that they have with starters and relievers. … He’s going to continue to get some chances.” Nido entered Sunday with a .214 average and 14 home runs over 276 MLB games. He made a career-high 98 appearances in 2022, which was his first season working with Mets reliever Adam Ottavino. “He’s probably the catcher I’ve had the most success with in my career,” Ottavino told The News. “I think he’s a great pitch-caller. I also think he’s a great framer. If he calls for a sinker and he sets up inside and I throw it outside, he’ll still get that call a lot more than other guys. He has a really good ability to stick those pitches that are difficult [to] frame.” The Mets’ pitching staff struggled during Nido’s first start of 2024, allowing 10 runs — including eight by starter Adrian Houser — in that April 21 loss to the Dodgers. Nido’s next two games were much more successful. Sean Manaea recorded six strikeouts over 4.2 scoreless innings in Wednesday’s 8-2 win over the Giants, during which reliever Reed Garrett also struck out four over two innings and Ottavino added three punchouts over 1.1 scoreless frames. On Friday, the Mets limited St. Louis to four runs, all charged to starter Jose Butto. “I’ve thrown to him the most since I’ve come over here to the Mets,” Garrett told The News. “He puts in time to get to know the guys and know what their out pitches are. He really uses our strengths to our advantage and works with the pitchers really well.” While the Mets pitchers are disappointed Alvarez is injured, they’re happy to see Nido getting another chance. “Hard work pays off and it’s great to see. I’ve only known him for this year, but he seems like a great human being,” Manaea, who signed with the Mets in the offseason, said. “In spring training, he definitely had a veteran presence. … Even just from the outside looking in, I definitely felt that presence.” Nido says he’s embracing the opportunity. “One day you’re in Triple-A, the next day you’re not,” Nido said. “I’m just trying to hug the opportunity, not let it go, and just take advantage … and show what I can do.” SENGA’S SESSION Mets ace Kodai Senga remains on track to throw a live bullpen session Monday, which will mark his first time facing hitters since suffering a shoulder strain during spring training. Senga is expected to throw 20-25 pitches against hitters from Single-A Brooklyn, Mendoza said Sunday. “It’s not so much about [Monday],” Mendoza said. “It’s the following days, how he’s responding after each session. It’s good that he’s not only going to get on the mound, but he’s facing hitters.” MEGILL’S STRONG START Also making progress in his rehab is Tylor Megill, who dazzled in Saturday’s start at Single-A by striking out each of the six batters he faced. Megill, who is also working back from a shoulder strain, threw 31 pitches over his two innings against the Wilmington Blue Rocks in what was his first rehab outing. The 28-year-old made the Mets’ rotation out of spring training, filling the spot vacated by Senga, but made only one start before going on the injured list. “He’s feeling good, so progressing well,” Mendoza said. Megill is next scheduled to pitch on Thursday with Double-A Binghamton. Mendoza expects the 6-8 right-hander to throw 45-50 pitches over three or four innings in that outing. MARTINEZ OFF Sunday marked J.D. Martinez’s first day off since making his long-awaited Mets debut. Mendoza says it’s all part of a plan to keep the 36-year-old designated hitter fresh. “Obviously, they never want an off day, but this is something that you’ve just got to be careful in building back up,” Mendoza said. Martinez signed a one-year, $12 million contract in late March, then experienced lower back tightness during his extended spring training in Port St. Lucie, delaying his Mets debut. The six-time All-Star finally suited up for the Mets over the weekend, going 2-for-4 with an RBI on Friday and 1-for-4 on Saturday. Martinez could play three of the four games during this week’s series against the Cubs, according to Mendoza, who said he will continue to check in with the veteran. REVOLVING RELIEVERS In need of bullpen relief, the Mets on Sunday called up left-hander Danny Young and sent fellow lefty Josh Walker to Triple-A Syracuse. Walker had pitched in the two previous games, totaling two scoreless innings. “Needed a fresh arm today,” Mendoza said. Young boasts a 1.13 ERA and 12 strikeouts over eight innings with Syracuse this season.