Moving off the bench to make an impact as a starter is no easy feat, but Juan Lagares has shown the Mets how it can be done.

Outfield uncertainty threatened to derail the Mets’ pursuit of an NL wild-card spot after Jeff McNeil was forced to the injured list with a hamstring injury last week, joining Dominic Smith, who landed there with a foot injury at the end of July. Lagares, however, has filled the void with nine straight starts in center field — including Thursday’s rain-shortened, 2-0 win over the Indians — with his performance at the plate equaling his rediscovered stellar play in the outfield.

Lagares has made Mets manager Mickey Callaway think twice about his plans for a healthy roster.

“It has an impact,” Callaway said of Lagares’ recent play. “Obviously, we notice the defense, he’s saving extra-base hits, which saves runs. He’s creating runs at the plate, so it’s definitely going to have an impact. I think we have to continue to figure out what the best fit for McNeil is when he comes back; obviously he’s going to be playing. I think the way Joe Panik is playing is affecting it. So, we’re going to have some decisions.

“Lagares deserves to play right now. He’s saving runs and creating runs.”

Before going hitless in three at-bats Thursday, the 30-year-old Lagares had four multi-hit performances in his previous eight games, batting .448 (13-for-29) with seven runs scored in that stretch. In the Mets’ 4-3, 10-inning win Wednesday night, Lagares went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, an RBI and a run.

This season hasn’t been a cake walk for Lagares, who struggled at the plate early and didn’t look like the fielder who won a Gold Glove in 2014. But he seems to have found his footing at one of the more crucial points in this season — though he’s no lock to continue to start.

The Mets called up outfielder Rajai Davis, who possibly could provide more offensive power, Brandon Nimmo is making headway in his rehab assignment after missing most of the season because of complications from a bulging cervical disk in his neck, and McNeil appears close to returning.

“I’m really proud of him for all the hard work he put in while he was on the bench, not any easy role,” Callaway said. “And he stayed positive and knew that if he got the chance, he was going to prove to us that he could get the job done.”