PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Mets manager Carlos Mendoza has already had to have a few difficult discussions early in spring training.

He’s informed José Buttó, a natural starter, that he’ll be working out of the bullpen this season and told Tylor Megill, who’s in his fourth spring training with the team, that he’ll be fighting for the final spot in the rotation.

Now he’s had to have the hard conversation with veteran outfielder Starling Marte about his role with the team this season.

“It started a few weeks ago and then, as soon as he got here, we had a one-on-one conversation, and it was really good,” Mendoza said. “It’s a different role than what he’s been used to but it comes down to health. …

“It was a really honest conversation and he took it really well. He’s at the point in his career that he wants to win, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to help us win baseball games.”

After signing slugger Juan Soto to a historic 15-year, $765 million contract, re-signing corner outfielder Jesse Winker, and acquiring center fielder Jose Siri, Marte suddenly looked like the odd man out.

Initial projections view him as a designated hitter, and Mendoza agrees. He’ll platoon with Winker, who is a left-handed hitter, as the DH among other roles.

“He’ll come off the bench when he’s not in the lineup,” Mendoza said. “There will be situations where if I feel there’s a right matchup for Winker, I’m going to take the bat from him. I already told him that. … There’ll be days where Soto might DH (and) he’ll play right.”

Marte is owed $20.75 million in the final year of his contract. Last season, the 36-year-old played 94 games and batted .269 with seven home runs, 40 RBIs and 16 stolen bases.