Frankie Montas won’t exactly skip his next start, but in an effort to insulate the scuffling starter pitcher, the Mets will use him in a different way Saturday in Milwaukee, potentially behind an opener.

Kodai Senga will pitch the series opener against the league-best Brewers on Friday night, with Thursday’s off-day allowing the Mets a chance to be “creative.” Paul Blackburn will make another rehab start Friday with Triple-A Syracuse, so the Mets won’t be activating him this weekend in Milwaukee.

“Maybe an opener in front of him, but as of right now, on Saturday, he’s going to play a part of that game,” manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday at Citi Field ahead of the opening contest against the Cleveland Guardians. “Depending on how we get through on Friday, we’ll see.”

After Saturday, n

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