Mets suddenly scrambling with more bullpen moves after lucky start to season

The Mets’ bullpen carousel had stubbornly and admirably refused to start for a month, the club enjoying a run of stability with the same eight relief pitchers.

That time has ended, and the carousel is spinning into overdrive.

For one entire month — from Opening Day on March 27 until A.J. Minter hit the injured list Sunday, April 27 — the Mets had rolled with the same eight relief pitchers (with the technical exception of a one-day option of Max Kranick and a one-game summons of Justin Hagenman, who served as a bulk pitcher after an opener).

“I was kind of like, ‘What?’ ” manager Carlos Mendoza said of the bullpen constancy. “I don’t know that I’ve seen this before.”

He knew that the group eventually would need reinforcements, but he did not know that injuries would strike nearly simultaneously.

Minter could be lost for the season with a lat strain that might require surgery (and brought him to the 60-day injured list Thursday). Their other lefty reliever, Danny Young, landed on the IL on Wednesday with an elbow sprain, and Tommy John surgery is on the table.