MLB

D’Arnaud makes his Mets debut — but may not be up for long

SAN DIEGO — Out from behind curtain No. 2 came Travis d’Arnaud.

In a season during which the Mets unveiled stud pitching prospect Zack Wheeler came an equally anticipated arrival last night, when the 24-year-old d’Arnaud was in the lineup against the Padres for his major league debut.

John Buck was placed on paternity leave, after leaving the team Friday night for the birth of his third child yesterday in New York. Enter d’Arnaud, a top catching prospect, who will have through tomorrow’s game in Minnesota to prove he deserves to stay beyond Buck’s return.

“It’s going to be a fun experience for me and my family, that’s for sure,” said d’Arnaud, who grew up near Los Angeles and expected to have a contingent of family and friends at Petco Park last night.

D’Arnaud made a strong impression on the Mets in spring training and likely would have received a promotion to the major leagues before midseason had he stayed healthy. But he broke his left foot at Triple-A Las Vegas in April, leaving it questionable whether his Mets debut would come in 2013.

“My foot feels normal, back to normal like it was in April, and I don’t even notice it at all any more,” said d’Arnaud, who was batting .304 with two homers and 12 RBIs in 19 games for Las Vegas.

The Mets acquired d’Arnaud from the Blue Jays in December for R.A. Dickey in a deal that also netted stud pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard, outfielder Wuilmer Becerra and Buck. The Blue Jays also acquired catchers Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas as part of the trade.

It didn’t take long in spring training for the Mets to love d’Arnaud.

“I thought he handled himself really good, especially behind the plate,” manager Terry Collins said. “The reports of what he can do offensively, you really can’t get a read on that, especially in spring training; you’ve got to see it during the season. But I thought he called a good game. I thought he received the ball well.”

You won’t get an argument from the ace of the Mets staff on that evaluation.

“He knows what he’s doing back there,” Matt Harvey said. “He’s a good kid and he’s willing to learn. He’s going to figure things out real quickly.”

Harvey said d’Arnaud’s arrival will add a twist to the right-hander’s scheduled start against the Padres in today’s series finale.

“It’ll be fun,” Harvey said. “It’s a little bit of a change because I’ve thrown to Buck all year, but I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

When Buck returns for Tuesday’s game at Citi Field against the Braves, the Mets will have to make a roster decision. D’Arnaud would have a chance of remaining if he performs at a high level, according to general manager Sandy Alderson. Otherwise, d’Arnaud will return to Las Vegas, likely until rosters can expand in September.

“We’re certainly hoping he stays,” Collins said. “Is there a plan going in? No. But you’ve just got to hope that he’s ready to show us that he belongs here.”