NEW YORK -- New York Mets manager Terry Collins acknowledged that he is considering starting Juan Lagares in center field in Game 3, with Yoenis Cespedes in left field and Michael Conforto on the bench.

Collins said he first wanted to review the scouting report for Kansas City Royals right-hander Yordano Ventura and also discuss the topic with his coaches.

Juan Lagares is hitting .368 this postseason and has earned the praise of Mets manager Terry Collins. John Rieger/USA TODAY Sports

Although Collins has noted that Conforto has connected on line drives, the rookie nonetheless is hitless in 19 postseason at-bats since a home run against Los Angeles Dodgers ace Zack Greinke in Game 2 of the National League Division Series.

Lagares is hitting .368 (7-for-19) with two doubles, two steals, one walk and three strikeouts this postseason. Although Lagares has not typically started against right-handed pitching this season, Collins has been complimentary of Lagares remedying some of his regular-season deficiencies in the postseason, including displaying more plate discipline.

Lagares started Game 2 in center field, with Conforto serving as the designated hitter.

"As we get together as a coaching staff, if the vote is that Juan should be a guy in there someplace, we're going to try to get him in," Collins said Thursday afternoon at Citi Field.

Meanwhile, Collins also expects Juan Uribe solely to be a contributor as a pinch hitter during the games at Citi Field. The bottom line: Even if Collins were inclined to start Uribe, there is nowhere to put him. After all, David Wright is not going to sit. Nor is Daniel Murphy going to slide over to first base, with Lucas Duda sitting, to open second base for Uribe.

The Mets are concerned about Uribe's sharpness after a monthlong absence, too.

"Right now we're glad to have Juan on the bench," Collins said. "He poses a nice problem for the opposition manager, because he is a guy that we're probably going to use off the bench at the moment -- barring any other physical issues with some of the other guys. I like him in that role. I really do. That's where I think he's the most dangerous."