MLB

Bay’s return set to be vs. Nats

Jason Bay’s return to the Mets will likely come at the site of his previous comeback: Nationals Park.

According to manager Terry Collins, the beleaguered left fielder, who is recovering from his second concussion in three years, probably will begin playing minor league games Sunday for Single-A St. Lucie before joining Triple-A Buffalo later in the week.

Collins later told The Post he would expect to have Bay for the Mets’ series in Washington that begins on July 17, but not for the team’s three games in Atlanta immediately following the All-Star break.

Though Bay is batting just .187 with four homers and six RBIs in 75 at-bats, he will regain his spot in left field, according to Collins.

“When he comes back we will insert him in the lineup and hopefully he will be ready to get himself back on track,” Collins said before the Mets’ 8-7 loss to the Cubs at Citi Field. “We certainly need him and his bat in the lineup. We hope that when he gets back he’s ready to play.”

Bay missed six weeks earlier this season recovering from a rib fracture. He was activated from the disabled list on June 7 in Washington, but missed that game because of a stomach ailment.

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Andres Torres was unavailable for a second straight game because of a sore back. He was examined by a doctor yesterday, but isn’t expected to need a disabled list stint. The Mets could play shorthanded through the weekend and hope to have Torres back after the All-Star break.

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Collins said he wasn’t concerned about Josh Thole a day after the catcher was involved in a home plate collision with the Phillies’ Mike Fontenot. In May, Thole suffered a concussion after the Phillies’ Ty Wigginton nailed him in a home plate collision.

“The one thing that [Thole] is doing now is leaving his mask on for more protection,” Collins said. “Those masks aren’t easy to discard so I think it will help Josh a lot.”

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David Wright’s .354 batting average entering last night’s play was tied with Jose Reyes (last season) for the highest in franchise history before the All-Star break.