Valdespin has received full-time playing time recently, but will get a rest Monday. He'll be replaced by Juan Lagares, who will hit leadoff. Valdespin is hitting .207/.264/.328 in 116 at-bats.  

"I would probably play him against the right-handed pitching a little bit," Collins said, per the New York Post. "I want to see how he does."

Valdespin is struggling in June, batting .214 (6 for 28) with one double, one RBI and five strikeouts in nine games (eight starts).

"I think it's my time, because they want to give me the chance to show I can do my job and help my team," Valdespin told MLB.com prior to the game. "The best I can do is come to the field and work hard every day, and focus on the team when the opportunity is there -- ready my mind and ready my body to do my job."

Valdespin went 2 for 4 in the game with one strikeout, before being replaced in a double-switch in the eighth inning. Valdespin is hitting .237 in 97 at-bats. 

Mets manager Terry Collins said getting Valdespin more playing time is a priority. "I want to get Valdespin in there," he said. "As we’re talking about as we move down the line here, try to get him in the lineup." He added that he would like to get Valdespin time at the top of the batting order. 

Valdespin is hitting .226/.294/.376 in 93 at-bats. 

"As we said in spring training: The one place he kind of fits is if we can get him to understand what it is to be a leadoff hitter," Collins said, per ESPN. "So I wanted to hit him at the top of the lineup. Q [Omar Quintanilla] has done a good job in the leadoff spot. So I thought to put Valdy in the position where he's got to start learning how to handle the bat a little bit. Learning how to pull. He likes to bunt. Maybe there's a situation with a runner on, he can bunt somebody over. So I just want him at the top of the order."