Brandon Nimmo avoids IL with positive sign for the Mets

Brandon Nimmo’s right shoulder passed its big test with flying colors on Monday.

A day after the Mets outfielder twisted his shoulder while catching a pike in left field, an MRI scan showed a “clean” result, according to manager Carlos Mendoza, and Nimmo no longer has to go on the injured list.

Tyrone Taylor started in left field against the Orioles, giving the Mets an all-right-handed batting lineup against left-handed starter Trevor Rogers.

However, Mendoza did not rule out the possibility of Nimmo coming on as a substitute.

Nimmo has been in a slump since the All-Star break, but showed signs of improvement on offense over the weekend, hitting two home runs in three games against the Marlins.

His pike catch in the seventh inning on Sunday prevented the decisive point. The Mets still lost 3-2.

“That was really important, that catch,” Nimmo said Sunday. “There's a point in the game where they take the lead when the ball drops and we're late in the game and obviously every play is important for us right now. It's one I've got to step up and play.”

“I would do it again … I've always talked about playing smart and not playing hard the last three years, and that was one of the plays that needed to be made.”

Dedniel Nunez is scheduled to pitch one inning in a rehab appearance for Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday.

After this outing, the right-hander will be examined for a possible return to the Mets bullpen.

In his last 79 games (since May 18) before Monday, Francisco Lindor ranked first in the NL with 5.1 fWAR and 100 hits. Lindor was second in runs (58), third in doubles (22) and fourth in steals (18) during that span.