#Amed Rosario won’t lose his Mets spot to upstart Andres Gimenez

Through three weeks of the season, Andres Gimenez has been among the Mets’ best players, but that doesn’t mean he will remain in the lineup.

With Amed Rosario sidelined for a third straight day with a stomach bug and Robinson Cano on the injured list with a left groin strain, finding playing time for Gimenez has been easy for manager Luis Rojas. As Cano and Rosario near return there could be tough choices, including putting Gimenez on the bench.

“Rosario is our shortstop,” Rojas said Thursday as the Mets prepared to face the Nationals at Citi Field.

Cano (left groin) is eligible for removal from the IL on Friday and figures to receive time at DH as well as second base. That would mean a shared role for the 21-year-old Gimenez, who has excelled defensively and held his own at the plate. Cano was leading the Mets in hitting with a .412 batting average before going on the IL.

And the Mets aren’t ready to bench Rosario for Gimenez.

“[Rosario] has been our shortstop from Day 1,” Rojas said. “We are comfortable with him, he can make the plays and he’s our shortstop.”

Rojas added he would expect Gimenez to rotate between second, third and shortstop as needed.

“Andres is going to be that guy who will help us,” Rojas said. “He’s been very versatile for us, playing a good second base, a good third base, along with how well he has played at short.”