Mets manager Carlos Mendoza wouldn’t get into specifics on any conversion he had with slugger Juan Soto after a lack of hustle left him with a single rather than extra bases in New York’s series opener at Boston.

Mendoza said frustration may have played a role in Soto’s response to a line drive in the sixth inning Monday night that bounced high off the Green Monster as Soto stood and watched from the batter’s box in the Mets’ 3-1 loss.

“I think he’s comfortable, but again, everything is new. Not only a new team, but there’s the new contract, the expectations,” Mendoza told reporters before the Mets played the Red Sox on Tuesday night in the second game of the series.

“That’s our job as an organization, to continue to help him. But I do feel like he’s in a good place. And look, it’s about results, there, too. There’s a lot of noise here, but he’s going to be fine. He’s too good of a player and we’ll be right there with him.”

Mendoza sounded somewhat more understanding Tuesday than he did after the game Monday night, when he said he would have a chat with the $765 million star who is in his first season with the Mets.

“The guy’s competing. I’ll tell you that,” he said. “It happens, man. They’re human.”

Mendoza said Soto isn’t the first player to clang a ball off the Monster and end up with a single.

“A lot of times the frustrations are going to get the best out of them, especially a guy like that. He’s so talented and had so much success early in his career. Right now he feels like maybe he could do a little bit more for the team. And he’s part of it and that’s part of the conversation here, understanding the personal,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza said Soto understands the extra pressure that comes with a giant contract and the expectations it brings. He said that’s part of Soto’s role as one of the best players in the game.

“Knowing the player, I’m pretty sure there’s something there because again — he’s elite. He’s a special player and you know he cares — he cares a lot,” Mendoza said.

Two from Sox ejected

Red Sox pitcher Walker Buehler was ejected in the third inning against the New York Mets on Tuesday night and manager Alex Cora followed him to the clubhouse after heated arguments with umpire Mike Estabrook.

Buehler and Estabrook exchanged words after Francisco Lindor, who was hit by a hit, stole second on a pitch Estabrook called a ball, pushing the count on Juan Soto to 2-0.

The right-hander’s response drew Estabrook from behind the plate, where he held up his hand and indicated Buehler had said enough. Buehler continued and quickly got tossed, prompting Cora to come running from the dugout.

Cora shouted in Estabrook’s face for a while and first base umpire Laz Diaz eventually stepped in to keep the two apart. Cora made contact with Diaz as he continued to verbally let loose on Estabrook, then finally made his way to the clubhouse to cheers from Boston fans.

Boones square off

Now into their 50s, the Boone brothers are still meeting at the ballpark.

For the first time in two decades, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone squared off against his older sibling on a big league field Tuesday night when the Texas Rangers came to town for the opener of a three-game series between the past two American League champions.

Bret Boone was hired May 5 as a hitting coach for the Rangers, his first job on a major league staff. Aaron Boone is in his eighth season as the Yankees’ skipper.

“It hasn’t happened for us yet in this kind of capacity. So, certainly good to see him,” Aaron Boone said Tuesday afternoon. “I’m sure I’ll peek over there at some point during the game and see what his act looks like.”

Prior to the first pitch at Yankee Stadium, the Boone brothers brought the lineup cards to home plate and posed for photos with the umpires.

Briefly

Cubs >> The Chicago Cubs activated 30-year-old outfielder Ian Happ, had been sidelined since May 10 because of a left oblique strain, from the injured list.

Tigers >> The Detroit Tigers activated catcher Jake Rogers from the 10-day injured list and designated catcher Tomás Nido for assignment.