When the Mets activated Jeff McNeil off the injured list Saturday, manager Mickey Callaway pondered what it would mean for his roster.

Callaway decided not to start McNeil on Saturday, though the versatile All-Star did pinch hit and took over at second base in the 9-5 loss to the Braves at Citi Field. His full return is scheduled for Sunday, when he most likely will start at second base.

Aaron Altherr, who was hitting .082, was designated for assignment to make room for McNeil on the active roster.

But McNeil’s return from his second stint on the IL, after a strained left hamstring, leaves Callaway with the problem of how to integrate him back into his lineup without disrupting the team’s current chemistry.

The only thing Callaway can say for sure is that McNeil will resume his usual amount of playing time, as the 27-year-old continues his tremendous second season with the Mets. Before this most recent IL stint, McNeil had collected 14 hits, four home runs and nine RBI’s in his first 12 games in August.

McNeil stayed hot Saturday. He pinch hit for reliever Luis Avilan to lead off the seventh inning and ripped a double — his 32nd this season — to center field, to raise his NL-leading batting average to .334. When Amed Rosario followed with a grounder to short, however, McNeil was thrown out at third on a fielder’s choice.

Luckily for Callaway, McNeil is a versatile player and already has spent time at various positions. McNeil, who has played the bulk of this season in the corner outfield spots, with substantial time at second base and some appearances at third, is sure to be comfortable wherever he ends up.

“There will be a lot of different places [he’ll play],” Callaway said. “I think that we have some guys performing, we have a second baseman performing, we have a center fielder performing, we have a left fielder performing, and we have a third baseman that’s been performing. So, I feel like McNeil can cover a lot of those spots.

“We can move [Michael] Conforto over to center every now and again, get McNeil in the outfield. He can spell at second, he can spell at third, and he can help J.D. Davis when he needs a day off.”

McNeil said he feels back to normal after completing an abbreviated rehab assignment: He got hit by a pitch and stole second in one plate appearance with Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday before the game was suspended, then went 1-for-4 with the Brooklyn Cyclones on Friday.

“Throughout my career, I’m always playing a little banged up,” McNeil said.

“Right now, I’m just glad to be back on the field. Hopefully keep swinging the bat well, hopefully we keep getting wins and the ultimate goal is to get into the playoffs.”