The Mets, including pitchers and some position players, had a productive meeting with Major League Baseball representatives on Friday at Citi Field about all the hit by pitches.

Morgan Sword, MLB’s executive vice president of baseball operations, accompanied by former players Dan Otero and Rajai Davis, who now work in the commissioner’s office, had a conversation with the Mets about potential solutions to their major-league-leading beanings.

“It went well. A lot of good give and take,” said Mets manager Buck Showalter, still furious and concerned about the amount of times his players have gotten hit by pitches. “I appreciate them coming out. Being on those committees, sometimes you understand how many things are really going on behind the scenes that don’t get broadcast.”

The Mets entered Friday having been hit 19 times in 20 games, five more hit-by-pitches than any other team. They were plunked 94 times last year, which ranked fourth in the majors and third in the National League. Since 2018, the Mets have been hit by 326 pitches, the most in the majors.

Mets pitcher Chris Bassitt called out MLB after his last start, six scoreless innings against the Cardinals on Tuesday, for failing its big-league pitchers. Bassitt said the baseballs are different, inning-to-inning, and pitchers have voiced their concerns about grip issues, but “MLB doesn’t give a damn.” Mets catcher James McCann was also fed up with the grip and command issues on Tuesday, saying the league should sit down with players to find a solution. The Mets got what they wanted, as that conversation with MLB began on Friday.

“We had our pitchers in there and some position players, just so we got all aspects of it,” Showalter said. “Morgan presented some things that they may not have known about, and they presented some things that he may not have known. That’s how you make good decisions. You listen to the people that are actually throwing a baseball and hitting a baseball, and you listen to people who are doing all the work to improve our game and try to keep it safe.”

Showalter continued: “My biggest concern is the hit by pitch. I think we’ve had 15 pitches from the shoulder to the head against us since spring training started. Not five, not 10, not 12, but 15. I know because we put them all on tape.”

Pete Alonso (twice) and Francisco Lindor (once) have both been drilled head-high this season. Lindor, who was hit directly on the C-flap of his helmet, somehow only walked away with a cracked molar. Alonso’s lip was swollen and bloody after his first head-high hit by pitch. The second, a Kodi Whitley changeup during the Mets’ win over the Cardinals on Tuesday, cracked his helmet.

Showalter told reporters he might welcome the way the Korean Baseball Organization handles the issue, saying the KBO automatically ejects a pitcher if he throws a fastball at a batter’s head.

“It’s interesting, something that I’m sure people are looking at,” the Mets skipper said of the KBO. “Of course you know, Pete got hit with a changeup that broke his helmet. Where does it stop?”

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

The expression on Showalter’s face was one of bewilderment after he learned Cardinals coach, Stubby Clapp, did not receive a suspension from MLB for wrestling Alonso to the ground during Wednesday’s benches-clearing brawl.

Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado received a two-game suspension for being the aggressor, while Cardinals pitcher Genesis Cabrera received a one-game suspension for pulling Alonso’s collar. But Clapp, who bear hugged Alonso from behind and tackled him to the ground, curiously managed to escape the kerfuffle scot-free.

“Nothing?” Showalter said, jaw dropped, after his press conference ended. “Clapp got nothing? Really. Glad you didn’t ask me about that.”

INJURY UPDATE

J.D. Davis, the latest Mets player to get hit by a pitch in Wednesday’s 10-5 loss to the Cardinals, improved over the past 48 hours. He was struck by a fastball on his left foot/ankle and hopped off the field alongside a trainer. X-rays showed no structural damage, though the Mets infielder/designated hitter sported a gray walking boot for the swelling.

Davis was not in the starting lineup on Friday against the Phillies, but Showalter indicated he’s healthy enough to be an option off the bench.

“He may have dodged a potential injury,” Showalter said. “There’s no need for some more imaging. He’s improved. I think he’s a contributor tonight.”

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